Shine

Rika Ishikawa
Marries Ryoma Nogami


Shine
Like a Diamond
ダイヤモンドのように輝きます
Daiyamondo no yō ni kagayakimasu
ps107

The broken bowl bell
held food quite well 
until it fell.

The squeaking squeal from the wheel 
yields wealth in health appeal
from the way the appeal feels. 

A diamond shines bright
with the facets of light’s life
in mind with sight.

She smiles for miles
with the delight of insight.

Diamonds start as coal.
Earth is the source for the intense force that cajoles
the carbon in its moles to make tiny holes
extol less space for lex taste holding the philosopher’s stone 
as a blown tome now known
as the most remarkable clone.

Opaque matter, darker than night,
becomes transparent, shining sparkles in light.

Hardship hardens your core for sure
to make your heart shine as pure.
Purity is the cure that lures.

Performers stay healthy 
so their products are wealthy.

The best work smart with rested heart
for the next test to start.

These followed their food.
These chopped what the beaver chewed.

These grew what they could.
These shot from where they stood.

These worked in mines.
These hunted from blinds.

These worked in fields.
These negotiated deals.
These squealed for appeals.

These worked in a factory.
These made customers happy.

The redeemer’s redemption came
by correction in detention for those who lost their way to fame
and became lame with respect for the rules of the game

These formed conception with education
to avoid the deception of perception 
by the sensation of the senses.

All these weathered the storm;
while these struggled through thorns.
These strengthened their homes
while these burned diseased bones.

Some went to the sea to sail in ships
to ply their trade without loose lips.

They beheld the wonders of the deep.
Things went so well they felt that they could weep.

Then a storm bossed the wind and the waves of the sea.
They rose so high they tossed the ship like a flea on a sheep.

The ship mounted the heavens then fell back to the depths.
Their hearts melted molten groan. Some actually wept.

They staggered and fell like the most practiced of drunkards.
They looked to the sky and prayed for their mothers.

The wind carried their prayer to the height of the sky.
They were delivered from the storm as if by their cry.

The storm was stilled to a whispering purr.
The sea felt so soft she seemed like a cure.

They all felt glad because of the calm of the sea.
The harbor they made soothed them like the balm of mortality.

Let them give thanks for the love of sweet mercy.
The sailors were saved from wet death with a thirst for eternity.

The Redeemer redeemed lost time as the story.
Joy was embraced as a parcel of glory.

The weather is the greatest of friends
or the worst to offend.

We accomplish all things with the goodness of weather.
Natural disaster destroys anything, but buh-bling or bird feathers.

A silver cord streams 
from the container of dreams.

Drink truth deep from your heart before sleep.
It will help you keep what you seek
looking sleek.

Shine like a diamond.
You will be alive then.
You won’t feel like a siren 
on an island off the horizon.


Psalm 107

Part I Confitemini Domino

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.

3 He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastes; *
they found no way to a city where they might dwell.

5 They were hungry and thirsty; *
their spirits languished within them.

6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He put their feet on a straight path *
to go to a city where they might dwell.

8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.

9 For he satisfies the thirsty *
and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, *
bound fast in misery and iron;

11 Because they rebelled against the words of God *
and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12 So he humbled their spirits with hard labor; *
they stumbled, and there was none to help.

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.

14 He led them out of darkness and deep gloom *
and broke their bonds asunder.

15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.

16 For he shatters the doors of bronze *
and breaks in two the iron bars.
17 Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
they were afflicted because of their sins.

18 They abhorred all manner of food *
and drew near to death's door.

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.

20 He sent forth his word and healed them *
and saved them from the grave.

21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.

22 Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;

24 They beheld the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.

25 Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits' end.

28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.

30 Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.

31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.

32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the council of the elders.