For all the losses

Today I offer flowers 

For all who wrestle with losses, large or small: 

There seem to be more right now 

Than any of us can count — 

Not just of lives and jobs and homes, 

But of kindness and generosity, 

Of sympathy and empathy. 

What can we do to restore belief 

And trust in this hurting world?

On being shy

We introverts are shy, 

But shy can be interpreted 

 In lots of different ways: 

As timid, or as snobbish; 

As uninterested, or unwilling, 

Or sometimes just invisible — 

Which sometimes is exactly 

What we’re hoping for..

Be light

An ordinary afternoon 

In an ordinary, imperfect forest, 

Transformed by late afternoon sunlight 

Into an invitation, into magic and mystery. 

This is the transformative power of light, 

And we, too, can be light; 

 Can choose to illuminate 

The beauty in the ordinary.

Prayers for those inundated

Prayers flying today 

For all who live in Washington 

Close to rivers or the sea: 

May their homes and their lives 

Be safe from the floods.

Running? From what, and why?

Remember that old saying: 

“When the going gets tough, 

The tough get going”? 

These two look like they’re escaping, 

But what? And why? 

That urge to flee when things get rough 

May not always be the voice of reason: 

It’s always important to ask yourself 

What aspect of yourself you’re running from, 

And what in the world might be improved 

If you made the choice to stay?

No direct path

Whatever your objective, 

The path to reach it may not be that direct. 

Don’t be afraid if life seems to be taking you 

Aside, or around the bend: 

Look forward to finding a new perspective 

While moving ever closer to your goal.

Driftwood predators

When I first discovered photography, 

I was living on a small island, 

And I became obsessed 

 With taking driftwood pictures: 

Their curious formations 

Looked like metaphors to me. 

I rarely encounter driftwood these days,

 But this one called to me, 

And spoke of predators, 

Feeding on the entrails of their prey; 

Unpleasantly reminiscent 

 Of the current state of my country…