Craving consensus

The stark contrast 

Between the white buildings 

And the dark sea and sky 

Is so pleasing, so riveting. 

I wonder if it satisfies 

Something in us that craves a world 

In which black and white, 

Right and wrong, 

Are clearly obvious to all…

The path you choose

Most of us know that feeling: 

To be outside looking in; 

To know you’ve something to offer, 

But folks are listening to someone else; 

The prophet unappreciated 

 In his own home town… 

The path you choose — 

 To speak up anyway, to leave, 

Or to pull into yourself — 

Will frame not only your future, but theirs.

The best way to heal

Sometimes the best way to heal 

Or even just to deal 

Is to be still, and to remain in light; 

To quietly appreciate 

 The warmth of a summer’s day 

And to trust, however briefly, 

That, for the moment, all is well.

Tangled web

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave 

When first we practice to deceive” 

Is what my mama used to say, 

And never has it seemed so obviously true. 

What does it tell you, that when I see 

This tangled mass I think of politicians?

When bullying fails

Here’s a photo I never expected to take: 

 Two hawks on a madrona branch. 

 But, like a fisherman, I wish you could see 

The one that got away, because 

Before I could get my camera out, 

The hawk on the left was chasing a squirrel 

 In circles around the base of a tree, 

Wings out, and screeching. 

Luckily, the squirrel was able 

To escape into the bushes — 

Which may be why the hawk’s now hiding his head: 

His bullying tactics have failed.

Asymmetry

My artist mother always preached 

The importance of asymmetry, 

Though she never explained why. 

So today I took two pictures — 

One with the boat centered, 

And this one, with it off to the right. 

And now I understand 

 The deeper significance of asymmetry: 

It’s not just that it’s pleasing to the eye; 

By moving the boat off to the side, 

 I give voice to the clouds and the sea. 

By centering the boat, we force the viewer 

 To focus there and miss 

 The beauty that surrounds it — 

Just as a leader who chooses to keep

All focus on himself

Devalues the gifts of those around him

And the organization he serves.

You’re not alone

You’re not all alone 

On the deep blue sea: 

The clouds and the islands 

Bear you company.