The inflictions continue: Becoming Once I was full of words and ideas bubbled forth and I talked endlessly. Gradually the words describing my inner panorama became inadequate and trite meaningless and redundant. And my talk became punctuated with silences that grew and soon I became silent and a calm filled me and I felt [...]
The infliction continues: Perception of the Nature of Being The veil twitched aside Revealed the Tao, Formless and Without dimension In the glistening Drop of dew Quivering on the blade of grass And in the seething stars Of the boundless Milky Way. How can you explain the unexplainable? How can you put [...]
The idea of simplicity in our lives seems to be growing in our awareness. We find that in an increasingly complex existence, simplification has an immense appeal. We seem to have too many things, and our lives become filled with clutter, both physically and mentally. Sometimes we yearn for simpler times when the world [...]
But first to inflict you with another of mine: Endings Some endings stand out more than others. Others are commonplace and fade from memory. Some are known at the time… like the last time I talked to my mother Or when I last held my red-haired love… Other endings aren’t known, [...]
I thought that I might put some of my poems in some of my posts. This is one: Reflection When you ponder the Calendar of your days, Do you recall the times Of strife, of betrayal, Of heartbreak? Or…do you recall the Quiet calm times filled With beauty and tranquility? Basho (Matsuo Kinsaku–ca. 1644-1694) was [...]
I thought of you then On the dock, the rough bench, The breeze blowing your hair, Watching the wheeling gulls White in the sun, Dreaming with half-closed eyes. It is almost time for my annual trip to Texas. I am making a list of all the things that I have to do before I [...]
Most people are familiar with the great manatees or dugongs that frequent both fresh and salt waters of the world. Many in the United States have seen photos of the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) found in Florida and elsewhere and know these large herbivorous mammals as gentle giants whose numbers and future are [...]
One of my most beloved poets is Ryokan, born in 1757 in Echigo, Japan. He became a Zen monk and led a life Christ-like in its gentleness and concern for humanity. This man fills my heart, he is a marvel…I include only a few of his poems here. “When the moon shines Clean and clear Let [...]
Consider this unlikely scenario: “Hey Joe, I have a fantastic idea!” “What’s that Ralph?” “It’s a sure money-maker, Joe. We can take tap water, filter it, bottle it and sell it for a price several times higher than soda pop!” “You’re nuts, Ralph! People aren’t that crazy! Count me out.” Ralph is now a [...]
