Sitting in silent bliss,
absorbed in the Absolute,
that perfect smile
so at home
on your beautiful,
radiant face.

Regal as a queen, laughter
busts out of you
suddenly
like tropical rain.  

A colorful flower opening
in time-lapse magic.

Hands of finest delicacy,
refined by teaching
the pathless path
to infinity.

A mind as clear and wise
as the heart is kind,
strong and loyal.

Infinite tenderness is
the Unity within you.

One early morning,
first of your birthdays
I was to celebrate,
watermelon juice whirred
to completion while I cut
two huge banana leaves
on which to place my gifts
before your door.

In the yogic flying hall,
just a little later,
there you were, transformed.

A Balinese angel wearing jade
green wings sat amongst us.
Soft dark hair swept up into a
sanyasi's top knot, and that
same eternal smile of bliss.

You were wearing the love I had
given you, making those giant leaves
into wings that would carry us into
decades of friendship, through
passages of loved ones, and
life's hardest challenges.

Unfathomably,
wherever we are on
Mother Earth,
we are always we,
even as you are you,
and I am always me.

Halfway around the world
and here in my heart, dear friend.

Writing brave, wise poems,
so vulnerable, so original,
inviting us into your life and home.

Early this morning, a flash of red
shone at the very top of our oldest pine
like some tropical bird, here by holy magic.

The tail, in fact, of one triumphant,
energetic little squirrel, bright sunlight
transforming that waving tail
into a banner of joy.

"Sally", I smiled. Somehow
it was you, sending me another delight
in this morning display.

Rosalia, a sweet garland of God's own goodness,
connecting us with grace and cheer,
all time zones made as one.

This was true news today:

"A gigantic hole in the sun's atmosphere has opened up
and it is spewing solar wind toward Earth."

"Earth could be inside the solar wind stream for days."

It got me thinking:

What about the solar wind stream
of your mind, blowing poems down to me
from way up North?

Bright lights in my brain are set off
as I do my best to match
your inspired words.

My neighbor's fine husband is home.
Whirring and hissing to a stop,
like some fairy tale benevolent monster,
his huge, unhitched truck cab
shudders and roars one more time
before being subdued.

Wearing this magnificent blue color
subtle enough for an evening gown,
it dwarfs the silver pickup
parked in front of it.

Across town, a train whistle sounds
and I drift away again.

Early morning sleep,
healing a delicate heart.

Several states over, my best friend
begins her day, so much
goodness given,
and always.

The challenge in this season
is to find the fullness
in emptiness.

Revering all holy vessels
manifest and blessed
may this heart
held inside us
harbour
God's
Divine Light
May this heart
held inside us
learn to become
a chalice
for
our own
unconditional love

When a newborn princess was
given your name, I smiled to myself,
"This child is in good company!"

On this warm October day,
fruition of good season
is in evidence all around us.

It is here with us in you,
dear Charlotte.

Raising sons, raising daughters
learning, teaching, first these
children, now their children,
and so many, many more.

Compassion and tolerance
find a rare and special home
in you, dear Charlotte.

My best friend's mother,
your deep wisdom,
lovely devotion to God,
bloom all around you.

Nourishing me so profoundly
these many, fortunate years
with your radiant, steady love.

Today is your day, Charlotte,
and wherever we are
we celebrate you!

Our hearts are made wiser
kinder, and stronger, by
all that you teach
simply being
you
dear Charlotte.