Here and Now, ayou and I

 

There are no angry winds

in the pure land

of the present moment,

merely soft breezes to caress

as we walk, you and I,

hand in hand

with all living beings,

living fully,

cultivating compassion,

gathering flowers

of mindfulness.

Autumn Hues

 

Summer’s blooms fading,

fall flowers still aborning.

Cuttings need water.

Red flowers opened,

pomegranates in kitchens.

We might make some tea.

Hibiscus whispers,

Bougainvillas scream color.

Pastels still enchant.

Epi’s bloomed briefly,

cactus flowers much the same.

I must call my Friends.

Every Day is Veterans Day

 

Being a part of the community of veterans, especially those veterans of foreign wars, is both an honor and a duty, with a sacred obligation to past, current and future generations of our country’s warriors and protectors. I do not take it lightly. Veterans’ missions did not end with their active military service. They remain steadfast in their comradeship with one another, even while at home, awaiting further orders. Many of them have dealt with and continue to deal with illness and injuries which changed them and their place in the world. For some, the pain has not ended. For others, as many as twenty each day, the agony was too great to continue in their current bodies, in their current life. Those of us who have found ways to live in peace, in Spirit’s hands, must be a shining example, a lamp of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel for those who struggle. It is the least we can do. We all know what war costs, whether we were in battle or not. We all know that our memories linger and, unless we continue with courage and find a way to change our thinking about the past, the pain will persist. The nightmares will continue. The burden which our friends and families must share will grow. We joined the military for different reasons, some were drafted, many volunteered. After boot camp, however, we all learned that we had become part of a new family, one bigger than our previous, solitary lives. We had become larger than before. We mattered, and others depended upon us. It is no different now, even for those of us who long ago qualified for our AARP cards. I have privately lived with pain and turmoil, found some answers, still seek others. I do not, however, regret even one day of it. Not anymore. In my middle years, regret, remorse, shame, sadness, sleeplessness and anger ruled the day. Today, the fog has lifted. While some of the pain lingers, I have no doubt nor confusion about the special gifts which military service afforded me. Whether I feel that I have it in me or not, I am now duty bound to ensure that all veterans are appreciated, all wounded heroes are cared for, all invisible injuries are brought into the light of day, so that treatment can be provided. The value which I take from camaraderie with my brothers and sisters does not have a number. It is incalculable. I hope to plant the seeds of appreciation, honor, encouragement and sustenance for the rest of my life. It’s a lot to do, so I’d best get with it. I know that I am not alone in these goals. Many institutions, associations and individuals are doing so much more than I will ever accomplish, yet even though I sometimes feel like a single raindrop in the ocean, I will continue to find the drive to be of help, to do my part. My brothers and sisters, the veterans, deserve nothing less.

Fall

 

As inevitably as spring leads to summer,

fall must follow, and then again winter.

As assuredly as heart leads to joy,

love soon follows.

As completely as love leads to sharing,

peace eventually follows.

As securely as peace leads to calm,

life truly follows.

As predictably as life leads to death,

new life always follows.

And so it is. 

Must’ve Missed the Memo

 

Nobody told him

how easy old age could be,

even with speed limits,

a little forgetfulness,

a little forgetfulness,

too many -ologists.

Nobody told him

how easy it would become

to just say no,

to not let  people 

who don’t matter much

matter too much.

Nobody told him

that nobody would care

what his major was.

They want to know 

what he has done,

what he will do.

Nobody told him

that nobody but him is

in charge of his happiness.

No matter how uncomfortable 

some days are,

he realizes that he chose them.

He’s having a great day,

or a greater day. 

The prospects are endless.

Fall O’clock

 

The too-warm mornings

of summer are gone now,

autumn fully awake now,

though not quite as quick

to arrive as winter.

I hit the snooze button on the clock,

not quite ready for her cool hurrah.

We are well past the solstice,

but she’s still youngish,

maybe middle aged,

but I am satisfied to

comfortably capture bits

of her breezy brilliance,

enlivened by the simple

pleasure of it all,

commonplace as it may seem,

grateful for this good day.

My Brothers and Sisters, the Veterans

 

The only war that matters

is the one you fought in.

All warriors

have this understanding.

All veterans

have this agreement.

So many wars,

yet only one was the worst.

It’s the one you fought in.

Because it happened to you.

There’s love for the nation,

rich and powerful and beautiful.

(but not perfect).

So many battles,

even when there was

nothing to win.

My brothers and sisters

did not, do not,

fight for a nation, not really.

They did not, do not,

fight for some higher authority.

nearly never.

They fought for each other,

keeping their pledge,

abiding by their oath,

operating with ruthless honor.

They fought together,

my brothers and sisters,

protecting the living and

attending to their higher obligation,

remembering the dead.

My brothers and sisters,

The Veterans.

I love them and appreciate them,

even when I have not met them,

I know them.