The Unfolding
order, they say:
what hypocrisy, I say.
Every one of these
takes the lion’s share of the collective wealth;
treats himself to demigod status;
exploits, oppresses, frightens
the innocent, the weak, the ignorant
making front page news
with their victims in tow.
These human spiders
weave an endless web
of fear and treachery;
a web we must all intersect
at some point in time.
Renewal
Eagerly awaited, she arrives;
her sun shines through mist
rising gently from a hidden lake.
Her breath buoys our wings,
lifting us high into the skies;
her rain nourishes our lands
and heals our thirsting souls -
she is the Spring Maiden!
Her love surrounds us
whether high on rocky hills
or down in silent green valleys:
she awakens all our senses
to the beauty and joy
she sheds without measure
over this fair land:
we know her season -
behold the Spring Maiden!
She walks the path of the rainbow
arching across rolling clouds
bringing back the sun;
drying away tears of sadness
whispering happiness and hope
in birds' songs and breezes
brought from the open sea:
it's the season of the Spring Maiden!
Responsibility
A man sets forth on his journey
as newly fallen snow drifts eerily around
spreading in waves over a rugged land
unmarked by trail or track.
In slanted radiance, the pale noonday sun
breaks through graying skies,
splashing through white winter's silence
and for a brief moment
he senses a breath of spring from afar,
a memory of green leaves touches him.
As he ponders his choices and direction,
squinting in the landscape's brightness,
the wind whispers in the hood of his parka;
a voice which penetrates to his soul:
"Your life is much like stepping forth
through these drifting snows.
Tread carefully on their unsigned paths
lest ye lose yourself in this labyrinth
or lest some less experienced ones
seek to follow in your bold steps,
for as you know the shelter of the trees leaves a trail:
anyone fool enough to may well follow
your first steps etched on the edge of the forest.
These may sadly come to grief, or meet with death.
Remember that not even in this great wilderness
is a man an island unto himself... You
are still your brother's keeper out here
alone on these wind-swept ridges."
Return To Paradise
Sex, a commodity, a means of support,
instant gratification of lustful passion,
yes, instant... and instantly lost:
must it always be that way?
What have humans failed to recognize
when indulging in sexual pleasure?
An ageless Woman says wisely,
I wouldn't have sex with you if you asked -
sex fulfils neither you nor me.
Are you willing to let down your defenses?
Can you share all the love you have known,
all the love you know, or could know -
with me in one moment of passion?
Do you want to transform one moment
into an eternity of knowing?
Would you know me? A yes is enough.
Love waits for no one.
Reverence
From the dried skeleton
of a hardwood tree
he lovingly carves
a life-like sculpture.
In humble thankfulness
for this natural bounty
he plants a new seed:
his own gift to the land,
a simple exchange of life.
Such reverence for life
presages man's re-discovery
of unity in a living world,
re-kindles human hope
soaring beyond thought
of mere survival.
Rich Text
They say I’m a budding poet -
OK, I admit
Some buds take a bit longer
To open and bloom -
But just because
I’m only at the beginning,
Don’t think I’m stupid:
For example,
I figured out the simplicity
Of getting extra bucks
for my wonderful words:
From now on,
I’m saving all my work
In rich text format -
No calling me “cheap” now.
Roads That Go Nowhere
Pavement stretches for miles
in endless series of criss-crossing puzzles
that used to lead where man touched
all of life with his Midas hands,
dipped in wishes of oil and steel...
covering, choking, filling
a once vibrant soil springing
with delicate plants, healing herbs,
mighty trees and wildlife roaming free.
Rusting carcasses of dead dreams
now inhabit an inhospitable, forsaken world
invaded, cornered, strangled, choked
by the poisons of progress
as defined by man's leadership
and slavish obedience to lifeless rules.
Ages have passed, and now behold!
True tranquillity, untainted beauty
blending in majestic harmony
are found again upon the earth,
scarred land, polluted air, decimated wildlife,
healed, cleansed, free once more.
Scents of wild flowers and newly formed leaves
travel the breezes throughout the earth,
announcing peace and wholesomeness
to all that cares to listen.
But of man who closed his heart to life's pain,
no one is left to hear the news
of earth's joyful renewal.
Roots Of Love: Passion
Summer's sudden passing
retains a lingering breeze:
leaves fall to rest gently upon dormant soil;
electric blue skies display new symbols:
v-shapes in white wings pointing south.
I wonder: has this season's flow
of spring and summer love perished?
Or flown south also in migration?
Will it return with the sun of spring
when the land re-awakens another season?
Or is it that in every spring breeze
there is a birth of new love in passion
driven to grow and mature
then blend once more within earth's soil
before the advent of winter's harsh storms?
Deep within I seek the answer:
I look without fear, anger or regret
in each moment of darkness faced,
in each fear overcome,
in every footstep walked on barren ground,
in every sound of mocking laughter -
And what do I see now?
The times I allowed passion
to grow powerfully within my heart,
strengthening my desire to know,
to understand and to love;
sending these down as roots
deep within the collective unconscious.
That is what keeps my love
alive, renewed, vibra
nt
through each change of season.
For once I sought love for its own sake
but now love is what I am..
Sacred Dance
Arousal from the caress of gentle hands:
soft skin becoming firm;
two beings sharing energy
in a surging flow of love
from one body to another,
a sacred dance of the heart,
a moment of pleasure,
a spark of joy released.
When love-making reaches
the point of orgasmic bliss;
when with tears and knowing
they bond together,
body to soul, soul to body,
lying on soft green moss,
reveling in their earthly energy,
their unbound power:
is this not one of the highest ways
two could ever honour
God,
Creator,
Mother,
Earth
in short, Life?
Sadness
Sadness
as of rain on pavement
bouncing over cold, bare feet:
Sadness
as of death on pavement
blood from a small rabbit
crushed by a wheel,
Big Wheel
rolling
uncaring
killing
unaware:
Sadness
as of a girl child on pavement
holding out flowers
to passer-by's
flowers fading
flowers dying
unwanted
unloved
as the child:
Sadness
as of a line of grey limos
headlights on
driving
rolling
taking
death to
appointed graveyard assignment.
Sadness
as of spirit
observing a dying creation:
Sadness
as of paradise paved
killing fields turned to profit
dying
under bulldozer and hammer
crushing
grinding
slamming
re-shaping:
Sadness
deep, deep
reaching to hell
and heaven
crying
raising angry fists
kneeling in the dirt
hands raised, opened
to ward the blows
Sadness
as of tears
streaking hollowed cheeks
crying in pain:
Sadness
as of a brother
turned away to die.
Seasons
Crises in life,
cause winter-like seasons of pain:
barren, lifeless, hopeless
seem those endless days,
yet winter can be a warm blanket
for those whose roots
find their way through the stones
and run deep within the earth.
Winters come and winters go,
each one creating new strength
in some non-anticipated way,
each one full of healing balm.
Difficult seasons revive faith;
sharpen spiritual awareness,
toughen the will,
harden the muscles.
How much are they
like gnarled roots anchored deep
within a changing earth!
Shadow Beings
Predators:
shadow beings,
shadow systems
controlling worlds
through the power of fear,
casting dark clouds:
distrust, anger, hate
all resulting in violence,
needless suffering
death.
Earth is such a place,
make no mistake!
But how many