"Hey, Joe, there was an offer on
Buy 65 and get 15 free"
"Buy 65 what, Jane?
Plums, toilet tissue, lemons?"
You know many of these deals are often a sprat to catch a mackerel?
"Don't tell me you fell for it, Jane?"
" Joe, you know me, I'm a believer that everyone is good at heart
Which, incidentally, they are, it's the ego that's corrupt"
************************
"Put me out of my misery, Jane,
What did you buy?---
Are we in for countless jars of lemon preserves, yummy!"
*************************
"No, Joe, I purchased 65 stars and didn't get the 15 free"
"O, Jane, not that poetry site again?
What's it called?"---
"It's a renowned former poet's paradise called Hello Poetry"
" Jane, don't jump to conclusions, or take it personally"...
************************
"Did you contact, what's his name, it's slipped my mind?"
"His name is Eliot, and yes, I did, with thus far no reply"
"Never mind, Jane, let's take a mindful breath or two"
"Hey, Joe, thanks for the sound advice ~ I love you"...
***************************
UDATE.. MESSAGE FROM HP
You're buying 50 and getting 15 free, so 65 total! I'll reword that so it is more clear- sorry for the confusion!!
20h ago
Jun 3, 2026 at 1:59 PM UTC
"Hey Joe, I've been thinking"
"Jane, you know that thinking can be dangerous
For it's usually conceptual, thus from the lower mind"
"I know Joe, but sometimes one has to reveal what MAYBE true
I'm only putting voice to thoughts, just between 'me' and 'you'"...
"Well, Jane, there's the first misunderstanding
There is no 'you' and 'me' ~ only I & I"
"Okay, I'm speaking to myself again, what's new?"
"Don't tell me it's about Hello Poetry again
If it's disturbing your peace, the cost is too high"
You're right as usual, Joe
Maybe taking a break is the way to go...
But I must get this off my chest, so to speak
The reason 'loving poems' and comments are restricted could be
That one is rewarded with embers for reading & commenting
And embers can be converted to stars*
So, to limit the reading and commenting overrides that boon"
"Yep, that makes sense, Jane, but why the 500 followers rule
When many have followed 1.5k plus over a decade or so---
Jane, remaining the silent observer, is the way to go"...
"There's much more to this than meets the eye, Joe"
"Jane, remember the golden key---
Uttered by Socrates. ~ 'I know that I know nothing'
Know ThySelf ~ The Truth will set you Free"...
1d ago
Jun 3, 2026 at 9:35 AM UTC
I remember blowing bubbles, winsome bubbles in the air
Enchanted by their beautiful prismatic hues
As they danced upon the breeze like ballerinas in free flow--
The art of blowing large bubbles was a long, steady exhalation
Once I blew a bubble so large it unceremoniously kissed my face
I laughed at the bubble fairies' aqueous embrace...
Now I blow bubbles to improve my lung function and breathlessness
A far cry from the child smiling with the sun in her eyes
Infirmity is an uninvited visitor here to stay until death's sweet release
So this too shall pass, when my ashes blow upon the winds of peace...
Well, this is turning out to be a rather morbid affair
To be honest, the days feel like scaling Everest without a rope
Thus, I've taken up mountaineering, accompanied by lost hope...
Tomorrow will be better is a fallacy, for the 'morrow doesn't exist
Thus, I've fallen in love with clouds, and today the sky is grey
Now is the only moment available to blow pretty bubbles
Grateful for every mindful breath, with the sun in my heart
Peace be upon you, love's timeless truth doth impart...
1d ago
Jun 2, 2026 at 12:22 PM UTC
I saw a daisy open its petals in response to the radiant one's kiss
Followed by dandelion whispers unto a hovering honey bee
So the world got it wrong when it deemed the dandelion a ****
It freely imparted its nectar before the honey bee took to the wing
I thought it couldn't get much better until a robin began to sing...
Springtides fresh breeze bore the hawthorns distinctive aroma
Which brought forth reveries of when my Mother was still alive
We used to smile at the hawthorns' unpretentious beauty
"Mom, where are you if not within my heart, thus, I whispered--
I love you, before and beyond the dream of time
One heart, One Love ~ Pure Love Divine...
I thought it couldn't get much better until a rat scurried across the grass
Nature is one with the Creator, perfection with its myriads of contrasts
5d ago
May 29, 2026 at 2:48 PM UTC
I haven't seen him for twelve hours, but who's counting
Well, I must confess that would be me
He has vanished, and I haven't a clue where he may be...
He knew I wouldn't hurt a fly, not through words but vibration
I miss him landing on my hand and his presence on the screen
We had some meaningful conversations, but not with words
He never judged me, and I never judged him
Because I knew that we were only separate entities by thought
He has been a wise teacher, I hope I've imbued what he taught...
Firstly, he taught me the gift of non-aversion
Not to flinch when he unexpectedly landed on my hand
And when he followed me to bed to not react to his buzzing
Not a distant buzzing, but very close to my ear
He revealed my deep loneliness & yet also quelled my fear...
Now he is teaching me the art of letting go
Non-attachment has been a difficult one in this life for me
Maybe that's because I've endured so many losses
Homes, partners, berefments, self-esteem & loss of health--
To name a few, for like many, the list can be vast
Beloved, pray, please, reveal The Great Mystery
Divine Love can never be lost & therefore is the greatest wealth...
Postscript: His greatest lesson was
Not 'me' and a fly but ~ I & I
May 26
May 26, 2026 at 10:14 AM UTC
A poet enjoys writing no less than a bird enjoys the vast delphinium blue
That haven within the heart harkening unto love's creative whispers ~ You
I have nothing in mind, therefore, no idea what will fall upon the page
That perfect moment when the mind and heart harmoniously engage
It seems that the couplets are making love tonight
~ Or not ~
I embrace the unpredictability of writing when fully surrendered
No audience to appease, a wise man once uttered---
'Every need got an ego to feed'
Such simple words that carry truth upon love's timeless breath
His words live on even though he welcomed the shadow of death...
Poetic prayer became a way of life, because I'm completely devoted to Thee
You smile as the gloaming, while I listen unto the silence of love's euphony...
May 22
May 22, 2026 at 6:30 PM UTC
Another night shift from hell loomed heavily in her mind
"How did I become a pimper's paradise?"
Maybe it stemmed from childhood abuse & unworthiness
Or just being abandoned to fend for herself?
"Just one more month of this and I'll be free"
She had saved what the world judged to be ill-got gains, meticulously...
Her devotion to the path of redemption kept hope alive
She strived for self-forgiveness and paused to pray
As eventide sang a melodic farewell to another day...
She kept her secret from the congregation & the Reverend, too
For would the Reverend truly practice what she preached?
Or the congregation refrain from casting the first stone?
Her secret remained between her & God, alone...
I omitted to mention that she volunteered at the soup kitchen
And fed the homeless every day, including Sunday
Where there is Love, there is always a way...
She had also been studying for a philosophy degree online
Which was almost complete
Her internal alarm reminded her that it was time to hit the street...
Not every story has a happy ending, but this one does
She spent the remainder of her life in service
Serving those in need became her joy
After all, who are the 'others' when there is only One?
Her heart became the abode of Peace & Love ~ God's will was done...
May 20
May 20, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC
He touched my hand so gently that it was barely noticeable
I assured him that he was welcome & that I wouldn't hurt a fly
He didn't answer me when I honoured the True One within--
How could he, as he's not familiar with the human language
As I'm typing, he is resting upon the screen in contentment
I suppose a feast for him would be a tiny crumb to me
Either way, swathed by loneliness, I'm enjoying his company...
He even followed me to bed last night
Which, to be honest, was a trifle annoying
Still, I kept to my word ~ I wouldn't hurt a fly
Prayer whispered from within until slumber took me to heaven
I'd forgotten all about him when my eyes opened to greet a new day Thereafter, he appeared unceremoniously to join me for breakfast
And then he flew away to explore, & I don't know if he will return
~ I'll leave that up to our Creator ~
The world has deemed him a lowly fly; to me, he's a friend
A solitary fly has become my teacher, thus there's no need to defend...
Postscript: He's back!
May 14
May 14, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC
"Inflation, hey Jane"
Yeah, Joe, everything has gone up in cost
Today I was going to purchase some stars, but they've become pricey"
"What are you talking about, Jane?
I know the ego's nature is greed and ownership
Amongst many of its unholy traits
But since when have you been able to purchase stars?"
"Joe, I'm not speaking about midnight's scintillating delight
I'm referring to purchasing stars on a renowned poetry site"...
"And what do these stars do, Jane?"
"Well, it's like when the sun rises to light up a new day
It illuminates the poem, uplifting it, so they say"
"So basically, you're telling me the poets have to pay?"
"Yes, Joe, you could put it that way!"
"So what are your options, Jane?"
"Unfortunately, I will have to be more frugal with stars, Joe"
"Well, no worries, Jane, that seems the only way to go!"..
*******************************
May 8
May 8, 2026 at 2:19 PM UTC
The fragrance of Gardinas wafted through her window
Imbuing her senses with longing anticipation
Glancing at love's betrothal glistening upon her ring finger
She sighed in harmony with summer's redolent zephyrs
Entering her walled garden of seclusion in soulful prayer
Dancing unto nature's melody carried upon the air...
His eagerness was tamed by his contemplative heart
It had been over ten thousand minutes since he'd gazed into her eyes
Not that he was counting, only recounting their last rendezvous
Her radiant soul was what his heart responded to...
She couldn't decide what to wear--
Thus, she stood amid the glorious blooms of summer
Beautifully donned in the sunset breeze...
He mindfully unlocked the gate to the walled garden
Ensuring he'd secured their concealment from prying eyes
His passionate animation ecstatically coalesced with hers
Donned in nothing but the sunset breeze
The rapture of their love brought forth moonlit bliss
As the orb of the day bestowed upon the earth its last radiant kiss...
May 8
May 8, 2026 at 10:02 AM UTC