Now

 

I’ve become an old man,

at best, an elderly gentleman.

Some blood has been involved,

yet there’s time to heal.

Yesterday had it’s chance.

I will enjoy today, today. 

Tomorrow can wait.

I won’t worry about

Spirit intending good for me.

It’s all good.

Changes

 

As comfortably as sowing leads to harvest,

faith summons us to follow.

As faithfully as spring leads to summer,

fall must always follow.

As assuredly as heart leads to joy,

love presently follows.

As completely as love leads to sharing,

peace eventually follows.

As ultimately as peace leads to calm,

life truly follows.

As predictably as life leads to death,

new life always follows.

Taking My Time

 

There’s this little book,

the title is Zen Seeds,

given to me by a monk,

and it’s all anyone needs.

She told me not to rush,

to not be too greedy,

just a page now and then,

no need to feel needy.

So I read that book,

every word, some with tears,

all one-hundred-plus pages,

filling a fulfilling nine years.

Maturity

 

True-Love survived

the upsets, the rages,

saw us steadfastly 

to our now golden ages.

Breathing in with love,

I absorb your pain, 

exhaling peace,

I send you love, again

Blessings and grace,

love overflowing,

joy in our place,

our contentment showing.

Witnesses

 

If you can’t stand the heat,

says the one with the fan,

but even he is an hallucination.

Had I missed this turn of the wheel,

what matter?

Someone else would have gone to war,

another might have written peace haikus,

many more could have done my work,

it is all simply chopping wood, 

it is all no more than carrying water,

it is not mysterious,

the thing we call our life.

I think for a  moment

on my poetry fans,

on my own eventual nonexistence.

Does the earth fall from my feet?

Must I reach for my balance?

No, I go on.

Natural Selection

 

Trees tremble in fear,

as Earth’s fever drains the lakes.

Spring lambs still sleeping

Soft light from afar,

the new buds need attention.

Bees remain divine.

Spring’s colors fading,

Summer blooms soon in season.

Seedlings need water.

Epi’s bloomed briefly,

cactus flowers much the same.

I must call my Friends.

Turning toward others,

living with an open heart.

Peace will come with love.

Vision

 

I’m told 

I’m in a twelve week

healing process.

Spirit arrived sooner.

I’ve been lighting 

one candle.

Maybe I should light two,

live more brightly.

Cleaning up my 

spiritual windows

allows me to see the Light.

Last Time

 

Today, I am aware,

once more, yet once more,

that wars are fought

by our children,

and by theirs.

Today, I am reminded

again, yet again,

how no one

hates war more

than the warrior.

Home Awaiting Orders

 

While others ask,

can we still speak to God,

I prefer to sit in silence,

listening for my stage directions

from the Universe.

My body might be bruised,

sometimes broken,

but my spirit remains 

healthy, whole, complete.

No matter the temporary condition.

there need not be

collateral damage to my soul.

Naught

 

Identify with nothing.

Nothing is

a good thing 

to achieve.

Nothing to wish for,

nothing to crave.

Only our memories

are worthy to save.

Waste Not

Things change,

power passes.

What a waste of time

to place one’s name

on high.

There’s so much need for Good,

for helping selflessly.

What a waste of energy

to leave the high road for

the low.

No More Poor

I’ve been poor before, really poor.

No food, no money, no job, no ideas,

always been afraid it could happen again.

Careful as I am, it’s not going to show up soon. 

How, then, will success be measured?

Perhaps it’s in how well I manage change.

Maybe it’s in just letting the change occur.

Whatever’s coming, there are a few things I know.

I would like to laugh too much.

I will allow crying when it’s necessary.

I wish to be happy, healthy and at peace.

So, it’s not really change that’s due, at all.

It’s simply transformation.

 

Something New

 

What new opportunities await 

my yes? 

What more do I have 

to offer?

Welcoming newness,

mastering new lessons,

awaiting willingness.

Unambiguous

 

Spirit is always with me,

directing my feelings, and I

know that it leads me

to where I need to be.

My inner voice has never been

ambiguous, rather clear and direct.

The way is obvious and open.

I never hesitate or introspect.

I hear often the sad opinion 

That Spirit no longer talks to us,

that Spirit is not in its dominion,

and  one must be autonomous.

This is not true for me.

Spirit is often guiding my

life and behavior, and I often see

clearly the path, my destiny.

Inventing a Form

 

Memories might fade.

Good friends remain steadfast.

I’m so grateful I have a few.

Everything is impermanent.

Everything, except true ohana.

Hold tight to family.

Giving from my Good,

I find the most happiness,

I experience greatest pleasure.

Some friends give me things.

I see joy in their faces. 

I welcome each gift. 

I joyously give.

I happily receive too.

Circulation rules!

Grace, gratitude and generosity

seem to work 

just fine for me.

I now live the life I choose.

It has friendship and Spirit.

It holds the center.

I breathe in with grace.

I exhale with gratitude.

I find life is just too good.