Writing in Snow

My Secret Joy

Istijlál (Majesty), 6 Jalál (Glory), 147 BE - Thursday, April 13, 2017 CE

My Secret Joy

Another Ridvan approaches,
twelve days of celebrating Baha'u'llah's declaration
in the garden outside of Baghdad in 1863
and I can hardly contain the joy I feel
for this celebration.

I contemplate my duty
to help elect the local Spiritual Assembly
on the First Day of Ridvan.

I don't know if I will be able to attend the election;
it matters
and it doesn't matter
because this year my secret joy
is the fact that I sent off my ballot
in time enough for it to arrive
at the Baha'i Center
for the election on the evening
of April 19.

I have other secret joys,
joys which no one else would understand,
but this is the most important
one at this time.