Wildfire Season

I’ve been building little barriers, 

You know, 

Like stones around the foundation of a house, 

In hopes 

That the embers of old arguments 

Won’t drift too close, catch fire, and destroy 

 The carefully constructed conventions 

That make it possible 

For us to live in harmony, 

But you keep adding fuel to the fire.

This butterfly of a moment

Look closer, 

And see what you might find. 

Hold your breath, 

Still your motions, 

And let this butterfly of a moment linger 

Long enough to teach you 

Whatever it is you need to learn today.

For all the lakes and forests

In gratitude 

 For all the quiet lakes 

And forests in our country; 

That they may be protected 

 And survive the depredations 

 Of our thoughtlessness and greed 

And continue to inspire us 

To strive for calm, compassion, 

And peace.

Morning

Morning, 

And a new day dawns.

Colors grow, glow, and fade

Like love, to be born again

With a kind word, a gentle touch,

A thoughtful action,

Bearing light and color

Back to the wounded heart.

The pause that refreshes

Sometimes it’s good to pause, 

Take a deep breath,

 And become attuned to your surroundings; 

Get to feeling grounded and centered again.

Collaboration

Though the rocks seem inhospitable, 

Cold and hard, 

Somehow the plants 

 Seem to grow and thrive around them, 

And together, the firm and the delicate 

Tell a tale of cooperation; 

A marriage of strength and beauty 

That warms the heart and pleases the eye.

Life’s a labyrinth

Life’s a bit of a labyrinth: 

You can see where you’re trying to get to, 

But the path you’re traveling 

 Is not exactly direct. 

Have faith, keep breathing, and trust 

That where you are now 

Is where you’re meant to be.