8. Forgiveness

Posted on June 3, 1996 by iPoem

Forgiveness is a candid and restorative poem that explores the process of healing through self-awareness, emotional release, and spiritual growth. With a tone that is both introspective and instructional, the poet articulates a personal journey from pain to empowerment, anchored by the central principle of forgiveness—not only towards others but, crucially, towards the self.

The poem begins with an essential realisation: that self-forgiveness is the foundation for healing. “I must first forgive myself for being human” is a quietly profound line that sets the emotional and philosophical tone of the piece. The poet approaches humanity not as a flaw to be corrected but as a condition to be accepted with compassion. This perspective underpins the poem’s moral clarity and emotional honesty.

The structure is conversational, with a flowing narrative voice that feels intimate and grounded. The free verse format supports the organic movement of thought and reflection, while the poem’s linear progression—from hurt, to understanding, to release—mirrors the psychological and emotional stages of healing. The inclusion of parenthetical asides, such as “(Although I may not see it that way at the time),” lends the poem authenticity, capturing the non-linear, often reluctant nature of personal insight.

A particularly effective metaphor appears in the central stanza: “Now I am planting healthy seeds in fertile soil / Pulling out the weeds and throwing them / Onto the compost heap of experience.” This image not only reinforces the theme of renewal but also reframes past pain as nourishment for future growth. It is a graceful and empowering image that suggests transformation without denial.

The poet also explores the idea of shared responsibility in emotional triggers, observing that “they must first have existed within me / In order to have been triggered by you.” This nuanced understanding moves the poem beyond victimhood and into the realm of self-knowledge and spiritual maturity. By acknowledging this dynamic, the poet dismantles cycles of blame and opens space for genuine emotional freedom.

The language throughout is plainspoken yet resonant. The poem resists poetic embellishment in favour of clarity, which suits its therapeutic intent. The tone is reflective, gentle, and resolute. The closing lines affirm a vision of abundance and self-worth: “I am now free / To enjoy all the great things this Universe / Has in store for me.” This affirmation feels earned, the result of a process rather than a platitude.

In conclusion, Forgiveness is a sincere and insightful meditation on emotional healing. It succeeds in guiding the reader through the inner mechanics of letting go—without judgement, without bitterness, and with an emphasis on growth. The poet’s voice is steady and compassionate, offering a powerful reminder that self-forgiveness is not only a prerequisite for peace, but a courageous act of self-love.

Nóēma Poēma

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7. Gift / Just Is

Posted on September 1, 1995 by iPoem

Gift is a reflective and impassioned exploration of love as an elemental force—beyond reason, beyond containment, and ultimately beyond full comprehension. The poet positions love not as a human invention but as a gift from a higher source, an ineffable expression of unity between the divine, nature, and the self.

From the opening line, “Love just is,” the poet asserts love’s presence as an absolute truth. The immediate questioning—“And there is no reason why?”—introduces a rhetorical tension that is quickly resolved through insistence: love exists because it exists. This tautological framing is not offered as frustration but as reverence for the unknowable. By describing love as an “eternal mystery,” the poet disarms the analytical impulse and steers the reader toward intuitive understanding.

The strength of the poem lies in its philosophical conviction. Love, the poet suggests, cannot be “rationalised / Or quantified,” and to attempt to do so is “the mistake / That everyone makes.” This warning against over-intellectualisation is a recurring theme throughout the piece, and it is conveyed with clarity and a sense of personal urgency.

The poem’s tone shifts between gentle instruction and impassioned declaration. Lines such as “True love lives / In the spontaneous intuitive” reinforce the primacy of feeling and presence. The phrase “the heart of creation / The oneness in all beings” places love within a cosmological framework, transforming it from emotion to metaphysical principle.

the poem maintains a loose, conversational structure. Its lack of strict metre or rhyme mirrors the poem’s own content: love, like the form, resists confinement. There is an intuitive rhythm, driven more by emotional cadence than by formal regularity. The repetition of phrases like “It just is” and “in the moment of our ‘Now’” reinforces the central themes of immediacy, presence, and acceptance.

The final lines return to a gentle didacticism: “Accept the challenge / Love is a gift / From a higher source / A chance to love oneself.” This closing sentiment crystallises the poem’s message—love as a spiritual opportunity, rooted in self-acceptance and higher connection. It is a fitting conclusion, affirming love not as possession or passion, but as a sacred invitation.

In summary, Gift is a sincere and contemplative poem that articulates a clear and heartfelt spiritual philosophy. Its poetic strength lies in its fusion of simplicity and depth, and its ability to communicate a universal truth through a deeply personal lens. The poet speaks with conviction, clarity, and openness, offering not a definition of love, but a vision of its liberating power.

Nóēma Poēma

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✩ 6. Angels on Earth

Posted on August 31, 1995 by iPoem

Stream the album: ‘Love Made Visible’ on Spotify: rb.gy/0ilm95

The poem ‘Angels on Earth’ emerges from the inter-dimensional ache of spiritual recognition and of sensing a deep soul connection to another, even when they cannot remember you in return. It speaks not only to personal longing but to a collective forgetting: the loss of our shared origin in divine unity in Source and in the primordial love from which we came. To recognise another in this context, is to sense a vibration from a previous time, or dimension; a signature remembered by the heart, even when the mind resists. This ‘mediumship’ across dimensions mirrors the nostalgic lament where love, once unconditional and vast, now seems lost in this present incarnation. Yet, even in the absence of recognition, the ‘remembering’ remains, subtle, aching and alive. This is a beautiful and tender poem that carries a really deep sense of timeless connection and longing. The use of spacing and line breaks gives it a very ethereal, almost breath-like quality.

Wings with newsprint feathers featuring my poem was exhibited at the Mexican Embassy’s Camaradas MX-UK (March) 2019 and also as an installation in the MA Book Arts degree show in the Camberwell Summer Show (June) 2019.

I recognise you

But you don’t recognise me

I knew you before

When love and light

Was all around

Before we were born

This time

♥

I recognise you

Why don’t you recognise me?

You don’t remember

The abundance of love

We once shared unconditionally

So strong we felt whole

Strong enough to choose

To be, here, now

Sharing our gift of love

With all humanity

♥

But you don’t recognise me

Our strength a distant memory

A fading dream…

When will you wake?

And see the dream is real

Maybe not, in this lifetime, I feel…

But, I can wait

For remembering ‘WHY’ we are here

Is not easy

The path of evolution

Not always fair

If, when, we meet again

Of this world, or the next

I pray that I can recognise you!

I pray my heart may be open

To receive your love

Mine eyes able to see

The light of your soul

And so. until that day my love

Adieu

Until the next dimension…

♥

Similar to Angels on Earth :: Love IS | Elixir of Love | Holiness of the Heart

Nóēma Poēma

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This track is available for instant download from bandcamp.

4. Stop What You’re Doing!

Posted on February 19, 1995 by iPoem

This poem is a contemplative and spiritually grounded reflection on the interconnection between the inner self and the external environment. Rooted in a holistic worldview, it offers a gentle yet profound meditation on the state of the Earth as a mirror of human consciousness.

The poet presents the concept of Gaia not simply as a mythological figure, but as a living spirit residing within all individuals. This framing elevates the poem beyond environmental commentary, positioning it within a broader philosophical and spiritual context. The central assertion—that “what is within is reflected without”—forms the thematic spine of the piece and is handled with clarity and sincerity.

The structure of the poem is spare and deliberate. The free verse form, coupled with short, measured lines, gives the work a meditative rhythm. Each line appears carefully placed to allow the reader space for reflection. This stylistic restraint enhances the contemplative tone and aligns with the poem’s themes of inner peace and environmental harmony.

Linguistically, the poem is marked by clarity and economy. The diction is simple yet resonant, avoiding ornamentation in favour of direct expression. Phrases such as “self-love, -empowerment and -worth” display an innovative use of form that visually and rhythmically connects the ideas, suggesting their interdependence. The repetition of “self-” creates a quiet insistence on personal responsibility and healing as essential steps toward environmental stewardship.

The poem’s closing lines underscore the idea that true ecological change begins within facilitating a sense of calm resolve. Overall, Environmental Awareness is a poised and sincere offering that succeeds in fusing ecological awareness with inner transformation. Its strength lies in its clarity, its contemplative tone, and its unwavering belief in the power of self-healing as a pathway to planetary renewal. The poet demonstrates both restraint and depth, producing a piece that is both timeless and quietly impactful.

Nóēma Poēma

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2. Just Friends

Posted on May 22, 1991 by iPoem

Just Friends — captures an emotional scene with elegant restraint and psychological precision. It walks the delicate edge between internal vulnerability and social performance, showing rather than telling. The quiet drama simmers under the surface, and that restraint is what gives it its power.

The poem presents a familiar, achingly human moment: the uncomfortable aftermath of one person’s vulnerability being met with emotional complexity the other isn’t prepared to hold. There’s something very early ’90s in tone—not just the interpersonal awkwardness of that time (before therapy-speak became mainstream), but also the gender dynamics and cultural expectation of emotional suppression, particularly for men.

This is a portrait of emotional dissonance: a moment when honesty collides with pride.
The poem isn’t about who’s right — it’s about the uncomfortable truth of human ego, emotional reflex, and the fragility that often hides behind defensiveness. “…as he had originally intended to do all along” has that overcompensating tone—like he’s trying to pretend nothing’s changed, even though everything has. It’s performative denial, which is part of the fragile male ego that is being exposed. The ending lands cleanly: “That fragile male ego in reaction.” It’s slightly ironic, slightly compassionate — like a final exhale after the tension.