#nationalpoetryday A poem by Sir John Wilson

Archive photo of IMPACT's late founder, Sir John Wilson, campaigning to end Polio in India in the 1980s.

And because today is a national poetry day, a poem he wrote...

Reflections

To have tried on a mask and eventually to have
Confidence to walk unmasked.
Having experienced many places, to appreciate, in its infinite variety,
one’s own place.
To achieve, for one’s dependants and oneself, an
Adequacy but to recognise its transitoriness and to hold
Possession lightly.
Having explored the potential of temperament and
Mind, to be able to maximise that potential and to
Harmonise its power into a way of equanimity.
From various experiences and study, to crystallise
Principles of conduct and judgement without losing
The curiosity of the seeker nor the zest for
Enlightenment.
Despite failure, to retain hope and the capacity for new
Enchantment.
To fear, neither life, nor death and, whilst seeking
Mitigation of suffering, to accept the inevitability of loss.
To revere beauty and art without being obsessed by
Them and to recognise a supremacy of the art of human understanding.
To feel, the inter-relationship of all living things with
Compassion for all humanity.
Having explored love to have found with one person,
In humour and grace, the limit of understanding and
Fidelity; yet to recognise without fear the aloneness of
One’s individual being and to respect that aloneness in others.
To despise no manifestation of love.
To see the compassionate face and active force of God
In every religion and, having chosen one way, to
Approach holy ground there -in the uncertain light of
inadequate understanding – to see the majesty of God.

Sir John Wilson CBE, DL (January 1984)

www.impact.org.uk