Language says a lot about a culture, the words, grammar structure and the way it’s used. The Armenian phrase 'Բարի լույս' (Bari luys) says all that is needed about Armenia. It translates as kind or good light, and the enjoyment of this phrase has stayed with me since learning it. I have found the words to incorporate it into a poem thinking about our mental wellbeing and the need to be kind to ourselves, as well as others.
The mind has many skies
Sometimes enchanted
By the beauty of a sunrise
Sometimes big and blue
Singing of the possibilities that arise
But sometimes cloudy and grey
Weighing down
And oppressing the day
Prison gates
Holding the sweet sun at bay
Where shadows
Grow too long
And once joyous shapes
Are rendered sad and wrong
Ravaged by their distortion
But as each terrible storm
Begins with just a whisper
So to can hope dawn
From the subtlest gesture
From the light we summon
A light that
Shrinks back shadows
Restores colour
To our meadows
A kind light
Able to pierce the clouds
And welcome in the sun
Through their tyrannous shrouds
Our gift, our strength
That knows no bounds
As with every gift
It is ours to give and receive
Wrapped in words, bari luys
A greeting
A wish
One that clears the mind’s skies
Opening them big, beautiful
And wide
Free again
To be alive
Bari luys
The nurturing and creating
Of happiness and peace
Within ourselves, and for others
Kind light, bari luys
Dave James Horn ©
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About Dave James Horn
Based in Folkestone, Dave James Horn writes poetry to raise a smile and provoke a thought. He is part of Poet’s Corner Folkestone and an organiser of the Folkestone Language Exchange. Read his full bio here.