New Day

Choices made
Paths taken
Stumbling, striving
Wanting to fulfill it all
Not knowing who you are
Weighing yourself against others
Against rules and shoulds
Always, you come up short
Nothing works
You give up, no hope
Lost
And in losing yourself,
You are found!
Realization
You are YOU
Unique, singular
Acceptance and love
Embracing all that you are
Confident and happy
Open
Steps and direction sure
No longer caught up in the story
But living in the moment
Eyes open to truth and beauty
The endless gifts of a life
Joy found in the simple

Do It Anyway

Take a look

Uncover it all 

No stone un-turned

Face each truth

Honesty

Not for the faint of heart

Work done in the light

Hard work

Contempt, incoming 

The unflinching look inward

And the resulting action

Causing discomfort

In other lives 

Hiding from themselves  

Do it anyway

 

Little Pussy

Little Pussy
Black and White
Safe in your cocoon
Curled up, happy
Tiny world
Through the pane
You see the moon
Looking out
At all there is
You'd best
Retract those claws
On your cushion
You can't know
All the ways and laws

Real

Do they see all your colors
Or only those that match
Their own vision
Is a person real
If they are only a reflection
Of others thoughts
And if a soul
Finds it's truth
And knows only rejection
If that soul falls
To darkness
Were they ever really here at all?

That's How To Do

View from another perspective
Same songs, new meaning
Colors of the day
Sometimes green
Warmth, energy
But so often red
Passion
And anger, too
Two sides of the same coin
There is no running from either
In the end
Watch it all go by
None of it can rule
Bend, twist, maybe broken
But never done
Isn't the trick just
In finding that sweet spot
Where it's oh, just right
Nobody's been promised tomorrow
Soul's voice says what's right
When it speaks
That's how to do

Sweet Release

I dedicate this poem to all whom I have encountered in any capacity in my life. To any that I have hurt, I am truly sorry. You are all quite beautiful, and I think that I have not been very good at loving you all.  I wish love and peace and only good things to all of you.
_________________________________________________________________________


Seeking the truth of one life
Seeking simplicity, and the real in each day.
Removal of that which is unnecessary.
The peace of a simple life, a truthful walk, and an open heart.

We come to understand
We can each only be what we are
Be about our business each day
Doing the things that need doing
And not spending time and energy on those that don't
Trusting that the good comes in it's own time
And living each moment for what it is
Feeling what it means to be alive for right now

No matter how much we love someone
Regardless of who they are in our lives
We must realize, finally
You can't walk another's walk for them
Can't tell them how to feel, what to do
You can't make everything right for them
You can't pin your happiness to another person
Nor their actions
For in doing so you shackle both of you
There is no sense in trying to interpret
The actions or motivations, the why's of another
Any more than they can do the same of yours
Allow them to simply be, acceptance of the now
Cease the effort to recreate them
Allow love to be what it will be
When our efforts to shape it are at an end
It will take the form and essence that is natural
Sweet and unconditional
Adding unceasing light and warmth to our lives

Lessons learned
Walk forward
Open heart and mind
Sure steps, gratitude for the moment and the day
Love and awe in the souls encountered
But releasing ourselves and them
From any and all expectations
Allowing each to simply BE
And giving the same gift to yourself
And in doing this
Freedom and acceptance
Are for all of us

Trusting in each new day
Living in the moment
Seeking simplicity
Acceptance of the other as they are
No must be's
No shoulds
Traveling light
A simple, firm "no" to that which shackles, harms or complicates

A new day
A life of possibilities
Abundant energy

YES

Be Kind To You

Maybe you don't know
Right now
Exactly where you're going
Free fall is like that
Yes, you're going to have to
Pull that chord eventually
And you'll know the right time
Until then
Enjoy the view, the wind in your face
And the perspective that only
This fuck-all rush brings
Trust yourself
When you do
Everything will come
In good time
Yeah, you didn't know
It would feel like this, did you?
Scary sometimes
You're all over the place
That's okay
Live this moment
And give yourself a break
You're still you
You've got this

Women Are Terrible Creatures

OK, fine.
Women are terrible creatures
There are times we want it all.
When we fall, we fall.
How terrible for a woman to look at a man
See everything about him
Deem it amazing
And want to slide in close
And make happy?
And as for your penis?
Aw, c'mon, we like that little guy
ALMOST as much as you do
He's kinda fun to have around
So, yeah, he can stay
And, yeah it's annoying
This insecurity so many of us have
About our bodies
It's the spirit inside that counts
But baby, when your temple is saggin'
Your spirit be draggin!
It's nice when someone
Makes you feel beautiful
Cures about a million things
So, no we don't sit around
Trying to think of ways
To make men nuts
I guess
Women are just
Terrible creatures

Fear Tactics

You say
None measure up
Not one is good enough
Each situation, every opportunity
Every heart you shun
Your fear and need for control
Making the test
Impassable by all
Always your finger points
Outward
Do you know
If you put aside fear
Hold the rush to judgment
Give the souls around you
A chance
If we build, not tear down
If we encourage, not criticize
Creativity can live and grow
And love has a fighting chance

Anyway

You can be honest
Put yourself out there
You'll crash
And they'll hide
Do it anyway

You can look at everything
See it for what it is
Devoid of illusion
They'll call you crazy
Do it anyway

You can find
The sweetest treasure
Less than once in a lifetime
Knowing it can't be yours
Find Hallelujah anyway

You can throw off safety
Reject that little box
Seek a wider view
You'll scare the hell out of them
Do it anyway

You can make your walk an open one
And never let fear rule
Wrap yourself in the blanket of free fall
Probably no one will be strong enough
To walk at your side
Do it anyway

Be About Your Business

There's actually a good deal of wildlife around here where I am staying.  I've seen rabbits twice...the first was the day I got here, only about three feet away from me.  It was just sitting, munching vegetation and not moving, looking right at me. Yesterday I saw a mother rabbit with one baby rabbit.  I just watched them fascinated. The baby mimicked every move the mother rabbit made.  I stood and watched until they left.

I saw a fox when I was driving out of the complex to go to work the other day, quite healthy looking, he was beautiful.  I've run into chipmunks, turtles, robins, mourning doves, red winged blackbirds, sparrows, cardinals, and starlings.   Oh, and about a zillion dragonflies.

The theme keeps running in my head, all week long....all these little creatures, so whole, so completely perfectly....right in who they are.  Busy about just being. Each day, there is no question, they know what they are about.

I envy them. People talk about free fall.  I will say, now that I am there....it has advantages and disadvantages.  On the one hand, the not knowing what will happen can be a rush.  On the other hand...the not knowing what will happen can actually be quite unnerving.  Having no direction and no idea what and where one ought to go next can be a little scary.

This week I learned about refocusing.  Most of this week, I spent my free time in the usual way, chasing mindless distraction to avoid reality.  Yeah, it's a bit of a pattern.  I am starting to awaken now, and I can see myself doing it.  That allows me to stop, and this is good.

I know now that I must let go, release.  No direction can be found with a cluttered confused mind. I'm simply going to let each day flow.   In the same way the beautiful dragonfly's  iridescent wings reflect many different colors, so we can each reflect the many true, natural colors of ourselves, and leave behind what is not real.  For me, that can mean many things, but most especially that inner voice of self-criticism that fills my head with shoulds and negativity and critical thoughts. There's no place for that and I am working to not listen to that voice anymore!

Today I stopped by the cemetery to "see" my dad.  This is unusual for me, I'm not really the cemetery visiting type, as I am a firm believer in the life and energy of the soul continuing, I know the body is secondary.  Dad's not really there, and I don't need to go there to think of him, honor him or "be with" him. But today,  for some reason today, it felt right.  My memere and pepere are there too, I was very close to them. I always put a little kiss on my fingers and give one each to Mem and Pep. I sat and talked with Dad for quite a while, told him everything that's going on with me.  As I was leaving the thought kept coming to me to be about what I need to do, let the days each flow and the answers would come, it reminded me of the little animals I've been watching.  Thanks, Dad.

When I got to Rock House Reservation, I was delighted.  It's a beautiful wooded area, with hiking trails and enormous rock formations created by glaciers.  It's strikingly beautiful. (Note to self : Must return in autumn during foliage season!)  It was really very warm today, on this third day of summer, about 85 degrees but thankfully not humid.  When I got to one of the huge rock formations that you can actually go under / in, the shade was wonderful.  I felt compelled to put my hand up, touch the rock just to my right.  It was rough, and cool, refreshing.  I stood there for some time, eyes closed, not thinking, simply being.  As I withdrew my hand, the thought came clearly to me: "There are no answers in the struggle, only in the release.  Be about your business."   I stood there in the little cave-like area, grinning like crazy.  Then I said aloud, "Spirit of the Rocks, thank you." It felt like the right thing to say, so I went with it.

So, this ongoing theme...."be about your business."  For the moment, I think my business is to get up every day, be honest, tell the truth, stay real, help others without weakening them, apologize and where I can right wrongs I've done, and love. I'm going to write, listen to music, read poetry and stay active and healthy.  I'm going to let my spirit flow, with each new day and see what comes of it.  Most of all, I'm going to trust.

Tomorrow?  It's not here yet.  I'm living in the moment.

A Simple, Beautiful Dream

To live simply
With only what is needed
To travel lightly through life
And not be burdened
With the unnecessary
To spend time on what matters
To live, love, laugh, help
To live deliberately and with purpose
Time in nature
Music as the backdrop
Writing on my heart
The art of conversation
The warmth of eyes and of arms
A soul on the same path
Simple, easy pleasures
Paired with hard work, spent gladly
Passion for each new day
This is my dream

Don't Need Your Safe Place Anymore

Holding to old beliefs
The things that make us feel safe
Having been on both sides now
I can see why some stay in that box
Facing the truth is not work for the weak
You will, inevitably
Find things you wish you had not
But in facing the good and the bad
There is true freedom
And when you hold that up
Next to that stupid, convoluted web
That idiotic mess you've made
You will see, you have many knots to untie
But the work is worth it
Knot by knot, the letting go of what no longer fits
Because the truth
Is the only place I want to live

The American Dream

Even before the betrayals
Of the trusted ones
Pushed so many to the brink
Forgotten, without recourse
Many saw it for what it was
Flawed, broken, empty
It failed so many of our parents
But admitting that was the ultimate betrayal
And so we created our own plastic truth
We draped it in the flag, and whispered it in prayer
Paying respect to the broken stupidity that it was
And still is
And we set out to carve ourselves
A slice of the banquet feast
But all along, the table has been empty
We bought the lie
Paying with our youth, our dreams, and our vigor
And with our hard work
But there are some with open eyes
Who will face what is
This one draws the line now, today
I reclaim myself and my dreams
Whatever comes next
Will be borne of  open eyes and truth

Don't Give Up Hope

You're hard when you have to be
Maybe that's more often than you'd like
You do what you have to do
You've tried hiding but the cowards way is not for you
You dream, passionately
And those dreams aren't about big and shiny
But they are about real
And true
You get knocked down
Disappointed and hurt
The things you work for seem so far away sometimes
And you can't tell if all that work, sweat
All you've put in
Does it matter for anything
You think about giving up
But time and time again
You keep trying
Each dawn another day
Another few steps
Giving every day your best
That's who you are
Because inside your heart
There's that belief
That there's a place in the world
For people to live, create, and love
Simply and passionately
Where being real and true does matter
And that somehow
Someway
It fucking makes a difference
Maybe someone will see, hear
And they'll feel it too
And so, through the disappointments
Falls, mistakes, miscalculations
Obstacles and naysayers jabs
You keep going
Because you know who you are
You work, you keep going
You try to lend a hand
You stay true
And you know what?
That's beautiful.
That does matter
And yeah, someone does see.

Sunrise Souls (for dh)

You will encounter them
Beautiful broken souls
Their light so bright
Convinced wholly
Of their own unworthiness
Unaware of their beauty
Blind to the gift they are
Hanging on tight to one day
Or one hour's equilibrium
Destined to free others
But unable to free themselves
Comes the warning
Do not twist or bend
Cease your manipulation
Stop your judging and evaluating
Look at your own soul should you wish to examine
No one is ever worthy to cast judgement
On another
Just be thankful
You have been graced to know them
What can you do for them?
Stand by them
It is enough

Fallout

When you throw it all away
Discarding as useless
Everything solid you've known
The result, a life un-anchored
While the soul searches
Grasping for a hold
Each, in turn, failing
Every morning anew
Belief, beauty possibility
And yes, hard work
The journey continues

Happy Little Sheep (March Against Monsanto)

This one was inspired by several friends of mine, and thousands whom I do not know who attended the March Against Monsanto in cities across the country yesterday, 5/25/2013 and made sure their voices were heard.  I was sorry to miss the event, due to a family event, but wanted to share this:


Work hard
Try to make ends meet
You love your family
Telling me
You'd do anything to keep them safe
Happy and healthy
Well in that case
Your barbecue
May just have been
The most dangerous thing
Your 4 year old does this weekend

Or you can be the kid
In a pretend world
Tell yourself
If I stopped eating every item they say is bad for me..
Maybe you think it's just too big
You can't fight it, so just go along with it
Drink the kool-aid
Believe the mainstream media
"It's not bad or it wouldn't be on the market"

Tell me
What happened
To a parent being the line
The place where it STOPS
That's your kid

Tell me
What happened to people
Believing that voices united
Can make a difference

Tell me
Why so many countries
Have taken action on this
And we can't

Tell me
If the lobbyists
And the big corporations
Really own America


Tell me
If you're a happy little sheep
Or if you really care
And have some passion

Unknown

Many paths
Several from which to choose
One an adaptation of the known
Other ways show themselves
Mind, body, and spirit
Transfixed by these
A step off the cliff
Free fall
Complete unknown
Ask yourself
What are my deal breakers?
Comes the answer
Breathless with fear
Do I HAVE any deal breakers anymore?
Hold tight
Music, writiing, nature
Sanity
As weeks unfold
Time will tell

Mother

When I look back
I see all of it
Mistakes, failures
Moments of joy
Instead of weighing it out
I let it sift, like soft sand
Through my fingers
Matters not how time, tide
Or life
Shall judge me
I know that twice
Admittedly, with some help
I got something
Beautifully, amazingly, breathtakingly
Right