To Find Rest

Understanding only comes with

time and letting go

like butterflies that flit and fly

landing hither and yon

on flowers large or small

our thoughts wander 

to find ‘the truth’

only to find

that each persons truth

is buried deeply in details of living

the simplicity of unconditional love 

reveals an understanding 

to never stop loving and

that letting go allows us to rest.

“Do not seek the because - in love there is no because, 

no reason, no explanation, no solutions.”

~ Anaïs Nin, Henry and June

Morning Ease

Herb Farm, Fredricksburg, Texas. April, 2005

Tinkling alarm went off

I rolled out of bed

Sleep still muddled my head

I scrubbed my eyes

Wrapped cold shoulders in fleece

Went to the kitchen for tea

A new day has dawned

Whether in rain or sunshine

I’m already feeling quite fine

The simplest things like

A warm cup of tea and warm, cozy fleece

Start early days with a feeling of ease.

“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning 

can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.”

~ Lemony Snicket, The Blank Book

Simply Grateful

Herb Farm, Fredricksburg, Texas April, 2005

Gratitude

For the chances we take

The risks we face in the midst of our paths

The strength we find to keep standing tall

The winds that buffet and blow our hearts and souls

The sunshine upon our faces when the wind dies down

The felt sense deep in our hearts that will ever be

Gratitude is simple when we remember all these things

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Act As If

Act as if

your world has not fallen apart

because it has not.

Act as if

your heart will not always bleed ~

know that faint scars will keep it safe.

Act as if

you have wisdom and strength

because you do.

Act as if

your memories are important

because they are.

Act as if

there are slices joy in every day

for they bud and bloom for the taking.

Act as if

simple tasks are recovery tasks

and know that healing takes time.

“Begin, be bold and venture to be wise.”

~ Horace

Simply Dreaming

June 5, 2016 on my patio

The bucket is empty.

The tap barely drips.

But the sun’s shining brightly

on this day with no quip.

I’ve stepped out of doors.

I’ve dug in the dirt.

Getting ready for planting?

~ It can’t really hurt. 

So I’ll fill up my bucket.

Clean out the tap.

So writing flows better ~

and then take a nap.

“Dreams, if they’re any good, are always a little bit crazy.”

~ Ray Charles

Breath Work

Breathing is simplicity ~

our body knows.

until pain tightens

heart, mind or soul

then we ask of ourselves ~

drop your shoulders

breathe deeply into your belly

fill your lungs with peace

push away the slate grey darkness ~

to breathe is to simplify the moment

divining the gentle calmness of space in time

“Remember to breathe. It is after all, the secret of life.”

~ Gregory Maguire, A Lion Among Men

For David - Rest in Peace

Once more

grief has dealt a heavy hand

this time

tempered with 

peace and ease for

a tossed and troubled soul.

A man who loved

the puzzles and mystery of humanity

working the land for its fruits,

his family more than life itself,

his grandchildren with joy and cheer

his friends always with a helping hand

and he served his country with pride.

A man of simple wants

whose tender and kind heart

could not be hidden

from children or animals

despite a sometimes gruff and stern face ~

kind and twinkling eyes 

gave him away every time.

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that 

in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”

~ Kahlil Gibran