High climbers

Like my cat, some humans seem to have an urge 

To ascend to the highest possible place: 

The Everest for Sir Edmund Hillary; 

The moon, for the astronauts of Artemis ll. 

For me, I am happy down here on the ground, 

Breathing the scents of Spring.

Glow brighter as the dark descends

Evening, and as the dark rolls in,

 Shrinking the light, 

The color intensifies to flame 

 Before winking out. 

I hope my life will do the same;

 That whatever gifts I have 

 Glow brighter as I age and dark descends…

The charms of imperfection

Just as the artist seeks to render 

The scene that lies before her, 

The clouds attempt to mimic 

The mountain’s shape below them. 

Each slight divergence from exactness 

 Adds to the charm of their endeavors.

As spring returns

As the weather warms, 

 And the puddles slowly fade 

From our daily walk, 

The mountain reappears 

 From behind the clouds 

 That brought all that rain 

And we rejoice to find spring still returns 

Despite the darkness in the world.

Happy Easter!

 

Recognizing our oneness

Love, says Eckhart Tolle, 

Is the recognition of oneness 

In the world of duality; 

To see in the face of another 

The underlying spirit 

That grounds, fuels, and unites you both. 

What if we took the time to see 

That connection in every person we greet? 

Would that not make us each feel less alone?

From suffering to grace

So much of suffering is complicated 

By our attitude toward that suffering — 

Which is not to belittle the pain of it, 

But rather an attempt to help us understand 

That to greet pain with denial, 

 Claiming “this should not be happening,” 

Only adds to our discomfort. 

To accept what is, and seek for ways 

To transform what’s learned into grace — 

That is the key.