“It’s the journey and not the destination,” so the ancient nomads say. If every step brought new grief, wouldn’t you wander away?
Don’t be seduced, don’t fall in that rut of Who and How and What. Stop forgetting the Where and When; it’s always Here and Now and then:
Take your next step, your next move, your next breath … for you only live when you won’t settle for death.”
Tangoed Up & Blue, p.49
Note: find the Myth of Sisyphus artwork on http://www.ebay.com
We cannot help projecting whatever we have inside. Poker face withstanding, our hearts reveal our tide.
Are we high or low? Are we healthy here and now? Try as we might, we cannot disguise the symphony on our brow.
Are we loving or hate-filled? Are we kind or mean? Our feelings exude and reveal; our inner world is seen.
And so I pay less attention to my looking glass; more attention to what I see and avoid my being crass.
As the moon reflects the sun, as water reflects the moon, my goal is to clearly project the truth of bright high noon.”
NATURAL BEAUTY AND OTHER POEMS, p.50
“We need a change of view, not just sight but heart too.
The snow has fully melted and spring cleaning comes to mind. So many things to do, so many things to undo.
Mend the fences, pick up branches, groom the trails. What are the chances that all of this will be delayed once we find more urgent repairs are needed once the puddles have receded?
We need a change of view; looks like Spring will more than do.”
Natural Beauty and Other Poems, p.40
When Outcome Doesn’t Match Expectation from Natural Beauty and Other Poems, p.39
“Supposedly are paths are not that unique. Nature and nurture combine to produce predictability amidst the maddening horde. Every result makes perfect sense when looking back over time.
And yet, let us …
Set some goals, do some tasks, hopefully do good along the way, hopefully better if not perfect, hopefully friendship if not results, we will acknowledge on our final day.”
“When we struggle for words to truly describe the beauty of a peaceful moon;
when were mesmerized by sunset or sunrise, with no verbal way to express;
when joy warms our heart or a breeze flows through us cooling our skin to the touch;
no notions are needed, our body understands: we are one with this time and this place.”
Natural Beauty and Other Poems, p.1
“Every day there’s a miracle of beauty somewhere …. if you look
Big bright moon in the morning sky, dew of the morning grass, running water in the faucet, warm air from a heating vent.” from Natural Beauty and Other Poems; Life Isn’t Always Pretty, p.7
So much beauty to see and feel if we have eyes that can see, so it is said.
I am especially conscious of the refugees across the world today. May they receive their “daily bread” and know that we are working toward their further comfort. And may those inflicting the harm see the errors of their ways and the karma they are creating for themselves and their descendants.
Are you a tree hugger? Here’s today’s poem from p.10 of NATURAL BEAUTY AND OTHER POEMS.
TREE HUGGER?
Advocate for the protection of woodlands or a fool trying to save the world? A crunchy, natural deodorant, faux hippie or deep ecologist respecting all life? Somewhere along this spectrum, do you find yourself somedays?
Perhaps when “visiting Nature” or walking a sandy beach picking up litter like you were taught by some conservation speech.
Or one more new green deal; can we connect while grieving as our life slowly goes extinct?
Will we someday find ourselves leaving, hugging a tree with our last breath or volunteer our organs to a research body farm?
What will it take to realize we are born and die in Mother Earth’s arms?
Today is April 2nd. Twenty days from now is Earth Day. Let us prepare for this event by being more mindful of our planet which gives us life.
Today’s poem is Free Ride from p.15 of my latest book NATURAL BEAUTY AND OTHER POEMS:
“So far, breathing is free; I can inhale and exhale at ease. No oxygen mask needed, I can breathe as long as I please.
Without air, I would die quickly, maybe fifteen minutes at most. For many, it would be ten or less; without air …. we’re a gasping ghost.
From our first to our last breath we live as beneficiaries of Mother Earth. Her atmosphere provides us lung power to enjoy with mirth.
I’m grateful for my life on this planet and the free oxygen it provides; to live and grow and someday complete this adventurous free ride.”
Today, April 1st, begins National Poetry Month. Here’s a poem from my latest book Natural Beauty and Other Poems (p.31)
Poets As Lovers of Truth
There are certainly times for pleasant sweet nothings, cooing and wooing and sweet ear candies; love poetry, word music, is easily accompanied on guitar strings or bright piano keys.
“I love you. Do you love me? Oh, who cares? You’re beautiful and the world seems perfect in your company. Nothing else is as important to me than our hearts beating happily.”
But, let’s get real. Life’s not always a picnic and even picnics have their share of troubles. There are ants and rain and forgotten items and singles wishing to be doubles. More seriously still, there’s challenges a many: no peace or justice and real-life oppression.
So, poets take note – there’s work to be done; let truth ring out on the page. If we have an ear, let’s speak the whole truth: poets as prophets can remake this age.
I am grateful to Tricycle magazine for their monthly Haiku challenge. See https://tricycle.org/haiku/
Last month, February, the prompt provided was “sleeping Buddha”. There were surely many great offerings submitted and Tricycle magazine will reveal the top three soon.
If you’re curious, check out the website and consider offering your own submissions for their next prompt this month.
And BTW, here are my submissions for last month:
Big Brother watches, the Way is beyond language, sleeping Buddha dreams.
Full Snow Moon watches, while the sleeping Buddha rests, wake up Spring is near!
Merrily we row, sleeping Buddha simply smiles, life is but a dream.
Life Matters 
