A POND’S-EYE MORNING VIEW
Right of the center
of the cosmic stage,
the rising sun disrobes
its horizon and announces
the arrival of another bright day.
Wading towards a pond,
a family of cute ducks,
Stretch and wiggle
their yawning wings.
The chloroplast bodies
of fueling algae around the pond,
capture the shining rays of the sun;
energizing the multi-life community:-
In the pond’s park of lily pads
and varied shapes of rocks,
aroused young frogs hopscotch
from one landing to another
Barking and running the pond’s banks,
a swaggering beagle chases a thirsty squirrel
back up the trunk of its tall sage resident-tree:-
Up on the street atop the pond’s hill,
car horns blast as rushing drivers
pass by—chatting on cell phones—
using front windshield mirrors,
getting their faces ready for the day:-
Thus, our morning view,
as my dog and I continue
our ramble around the pond :-
An empty chair kept moving closer
each time I moved it somewhere I couldn't see.
I dragged the chair into the corner,
but found it beside me the next morning.
I blamed the wind, the floor, the house,
anything I could blame instead.
Some things follow you without moving;
some things wait without being asked.
One night, I turned the chair around
and found old marks carved into the wood.
I didn't remember putting them there,
but I knew I'd seen them before.
So I carried the chair outside
and set it down where the grass was tall.
For once, it stayed where I left it.
That night… I didn't bring it back.
I thought the chair was following me.
It wasn't. I was the one bringing it with me.
With ups and downs and rhythmic gait,
they dance together with their show.
No way to rest or hesitate-
just keep on swinging, high and low.
At night they glisten 'neath moon glows
as they move on in measured ways;
together, merged in well-formed rows,
to blindly dance through blinding haze.
At times they gallop or may prance
to varied rhythms that they feel;
yet know the purpose of their dance
keeps everything on even keel.
And, so they reach out to the shore-
now rising taller- see their prize;
once there, collapse, rest and explore-
blindly retreat, again to rise.
Like waves, we also roll freehand;
we blindly dance to what's in store.
Our waves both high and low will land
on what life grants us to explore-
and blindly dance with faith and hope
we find that well-deserved long rest,
to know our rhythm helped us cope;
that our dark dance has met the test.
IN THE PILLARING OF LIFE
Be a pillar
Of peace and love;
Supporting justice
And equity:
Foundations
Of democracy;
And it’s roofing
From above:-
although attenuated by the ravages of time the crippled, old pine tree still stands sublime
While walking in the woods, I saw it fall-
swaying, and tumbling softly through the air.
There from its branch, the maple tree so tall
and lush, of its descent, seemed unaware.
Upon the ground, it lay pristine and green.
It's summer, and it should have stayed alive.
Alone, no others round it could be seen.
Seems so unfair it lost its chance to thrive.
Perhaps there is no reason to explain
why this sole bud let go its grip to stay.
Though just a leaf, it mirrors the same pain
that stings, as death's poor timing will dismay.
Oh yes, at times life's journeys are unfair-
that halt young life for death to earn its share.
Life
Life is a bowl of cherries
Life is a stage which we never leave
Life is an island on which we’re shipwrecked
Life seems to be an impossible mission that never ends
Life is God
Whatever else life happens to be
It is sometimes worse than getting stung by a bee
Even when there are soothing sounds which are supposed to help
We cannot always relax and be happy
But life is life and for every individual
it is allegedly different which may be hard
For some to understand regardless of demands
Which seem to be all around in different shapes-
Oh, why can’t there be less stress in life?
SEEING AND ASKING:
A TANKA-SENRYU FREEFLOW
Pandemonium,
Has become common today.
What a confused life:
Warrior mindsets halting
Thoughts of peaceful sojourning:-
Negativity
Has blackened enlightenment:
Blocking out guidance:-
Time to set our minds on fire
With biblical memoirs:-
Let us remember
Both Sodom and Gomorrah:
Saving our nation:-
Today, things are really bad;
We must not let them get worse:-
Always remember,
God will help out all those who
Seek out His help:-
Let’s get to asking,
Knocking reparation’s door:
Deliverance opening:-
IN THE AWARENESS OF
REAL LIFE HERE ON EARTH
Try not to let your
Inner nefelibata
Blind real life from you:-
Be in awareness:
Today’s earth canvases
Herds of distortion:-
A POETIC PERSPECTIVE ON
IMPERFECTION AND PERFECTION
The wabi sabi
Of our lives today, reflect
God’s healing grace:-
Perfection on earth
Must never be desired here:
This is not heaven:-
Being the best you can
Here on earth, just may send you
Up to heaven’s door:-
Haiku#1
gossip as stray cats
steals from the window ajar—
no respect for home
Haiku#2
wind blows aimlessly
scattering our untrained fires
across the terrain
Haiku#3
under his pillow
our boy rests a laurel leaf
in pursuit of dreams
(“Mind’s Eye Merit Badge”, 2020, original oil)
I like to bathe more than shower.
Sure, I have to stew in a mix of old cells
And soapy scum,
But I find it more relaxing
And somehow less wet than showering.
I also get to see all the debris that washes
Off of me
And this is almost as satisfying to see
As it is to feel.
Maybe that’s part of what others prefer
About showers, the fact they don’t have to see
All the debris.
It’s a metaphor for Life you could say
We gather and shed
And then wash it all away.
The best part really is that in the end it’s just
Water down the drain.
(6/29/26)
I walked the surface of the earth
like a fly on a bulb of light -
and for what it may be worth,
I suffered, not, a better plight.
LIFE’S JUXTAPOSED TIME
My time being here waxed;
My time remaining here wanes:
Life’s juxtaposed time.
If you want to pursue it,
don't do it like a crab might do it
when he walks or works or plays,
always doing it sideways.
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