**From & To Satish **( New Pictures Pl see pg 163) - Page 22

Don't give up.....

One day I decided to quit.....
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.

I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would
not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared
to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6
months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".

"I would not quit on the bamboo.

I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."

He said.

"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me.

"You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?"

I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give Me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never Give up.

NIGHT ANGELS

The other night I could not sleep,
So many worries in my head,
I got up to stretch my legs,
Thought, I'll take a walk instead.

I put the leash on my small dog,
And we went out the door,
Perhaps the cool night air, I thought,
Would keep me from fretting more.

We walked around the neighborhood,
The houses were all black,
I somehow felt adventuresome,
Though on familiar track.

Down one street and up another,
We slowly made our way,
My little dog stayed close to me,
Made no attempt to stray.

I felt some apprehension,
It was very dark that night,
There was just a quarter moon,
Which didn't give much light.

Suddenly approaching us,
A single form came down the street,
I clutched my keys within my hand,
And my heart did skip a beat.

An older man came towards us,
As he neared, he doffed his hat,
"Evening Ma'am," he said to me,
And he gave the dog a pat.

His soft voice and demeanor,
Soothed the qualms inside my head,
I wondered, though, why he was out,
Instead of home in bed.

"It is a lovely, balmy night,"
He spoke and eased my fear,
"Mind if I walk along with you?
It would please me so, my dear."

"Well...no, that's fine," I said,
"But we are heading home."
"That's okay," he answered,
"You won't have to walk alone."

With that, his shoulders straightened up,
He squared them best he could,
He started taking firmer steps,
I could tell that he felt good.

Inwardly, I smiled,
I could not help but be aware,
Of a change in his whole attitude,
With his new protective air.

And, then he started talking,
He chattered on and on,
Told me all about his life,
And his wife, who had gone on.

One moment, tears were falling,
The next, he'd give a laugh,
We were having such a good time,
As we moved on down the path.

I forgot my cares and worries,
I got so involved with my new friend,
I really liked to hear him talk,
I almost wished he'd never end.

A few more steps, there was my house,
My gait began to slow,
I did not want to silence him,
He'd helped me forget my woes.

"Oh dear," he said; his voice dropped,
"I guess we've reached your door."
"Yes," I replied, "You may come in,
If you would like to chat some more."

"Oh no," he hesitated,
"But I think you're very kind,
Now, I've seen you safely home,
Perhaps another time."

"Thank you," he added sweetly,
As he turned to go away,
It was so nice talking to you,
You really made my day."

"Wait," I said, "Let me thank you,"
I put my hand upon his sleeve,
"You helped me forget my cares,
You made my worries leave."

Then I watched him walk away,
He seemed diffused with light,
"Thank you, God," I said aloud,
"For my Angel from the night."

And, as the old man left her house,
He also said a prayer,
"I thank you, Lord," he bowed his head,
"For my Angel I found there."

We don't know why, where, or when,
An Angel's sent to us,
But we are truly blessed indeed,
That God's so generous.

LOVE

he was a nerd and a bookworm or so were the names they called him
college dear college days thou are so rude to the sweet but soft
soft in nature but steel in the soul
he found his heaven in a wooden bench in a park near his college
many days were spent buried in books of fiction and philosophy
the air passed him and the hours ticked by
but there was no response from his body when he was thus buried in his book
fragrance or just the smell of the opposite sex
all at once human he lifted his head to wonder at the change in the air
and realised he was not alone for there was someone else
on the other end of the bench

three years of solitude was at once wiped away
for he couldnt take his eyes of the woman
days would not fly anymore for he willed it to crawl
the time spent reading was now spent dreaming
well one day the woman turned and caught him staring
and smiled sweetly and said hello
earthly introductions were made but he seemed to
be always stuck for an answer but pettty converstions did carry on
so this was love,mixture of raging hormones and youth
or so he thought in folly
but it felt different and he felt different
well all who love do feel that their love is the most special and precious
but what goes up must come down
and what is is never the same

came the day when she was not there
and came the pain which dogs all lovers
with it came the knowledge that he had never told her
all the beautiful words and feelings from his soul
confusion,loss of the unknown and with it the balance of life

days flew,months grew into years
and old man time grew into a decade and then a few
but whenever time and health permitted he came and sat in the same bench
obsession,madly in love what do you name such faith

unfinished