dust and sage in the air
sun shining clean
sweat in my eyes
canyon unexplored
no path leading downwards
something beckons, unseen but felt
roar of engine
shower of rocks
a new trail is born

snow crunches like fine glass
breath comes quick in thin air
antlers rattle in a grove of aspen
time slows
beauty moves, swift and sure
elk pauses at a creek
breath steaming
finger slides from the trigger
his trail continues
separate from mine

remnants of a family
packed in a truck
broken home behind
open road through the plains
shared strength wipes away tears
traveling towards a new life
full of uncertainties
new city, new schools, new life
adrift in a sea of humanity
can’t see the road ahead
can’t live with the road behind

great oak high overhead
bride in a simple dress
friends laughing, family smiling
unaware of the war inside
fear, happiness, trapped, fulfilled
mind out of control
walking blindly through motions and emotions
unsure of the path ahead

small truck packed light
dressed in faded black
to match my heart
tears in her eyes
my pain behind iron walls
pulling away from our home
mirrors unused
no longer looking back
to a path of anguish
moving forward must hurt less
another road beckons

two wheels singing on asphalt
thunder clouds rolling
miles to travel
rains smells close
fresh pain of beauty lost
what use is caution
when the heart is shattered
shiny pieces streaming out behind
only a dream in the distance
of waves breaking in unending rhythm
to sooth the mind

butterflies of emotions
cautiously exploring
gently falling towards
something
not sure what
risks on one shoulder
dreams on the other
curiosity and hope lead
down a path inviting
lined with flowers and sensuous aromas
perhaps concealing thorns
perhaps leading to cliffs
feet follow heart

years of travel
strengthen will and resolve
destinations not as important now
joy is found skipping down the path
and jumping in puddles

tasting the trail
is good for the soul

Stream rushes onward, over rocks, under fallen trees

A leaf, caught in an eddy

Spins

English is such a poor tool

To extract thoughts from a brain

Better to let them fall out

In a sigh

Machinery rumbles past blocking the light

Ripping chunks from the land

No reason

Forgot to care

Someone ‘fessed up to sending me the piece of poetry I mentioned in the last post. She was pulling a sneaky one to see what I thought of her writing without knowing whom it came from. I must say, her plan worked perfectly.

She also gave me permission to post the piece up here for everyone to enjoy.

One-way, one more breath, watching slowly as it expands.

Waiting patiently as my jaw locks up, twisting.

Thought it was over, rambling, rumblings, these ideas in my head-

I closed my eyes for a moment it wasn’t long at all.

Silently surrender to the faceless victor again, shaken.

Is there still the option of turning away, lost without direction

Longing to stop moving, wash the grit off.

Close your eyes and it’s over-

Blinking once it all goes away, dry, aching

- Kelly

See – I said it was powerful.

Not much else to talk about tonight. Feeling pretty good, but pretty tired. Work has been very intense and draining this week. Went out last night and had a great time getting to know a new friend a bit better. I think tonight will be early to bed.

The truth of Zen,

Just a little of it,

Is what turns one’s

Life of monotonous,

Commonplace actions,

Into one of art,

Full of genuine inner creativity.

- D.T. Suzuki

Just a little something to think on…

Questions

where
do we go
if it doesn’t make sense

crashing emotions in our skulls raging blinding blocking hiding
ourselves from
ourselves

how do we cope
when the space inside is invaded
our solitude torn away by muddy boots crashing on the table
as we try to
breath
for a moment

walking in pain searching
for questions
answers can’t fix anything until we know why
we wander

When the mind is

Transparent and pure

As if reflected on the

Mirror-like surface of the water,

There is nothing in the

World that you would dislike.

When it is serene

As the light breeze

In the sunshine, there will be

No one whom you

Would like to forget.

- Pa-ta Shan-jen