late afternoon sun
streaming through the glass door

rays shining on pine needles
and bare tree branches

a friend, a teacher, a love, a companion
so warm and full of life.
reduced to grey ashes,
a small bag full.

finality in the clearest terms.
deep sorrow wells up.
hard to remember non-duality
when duality stares you in the face.

om mani padme hung

tall red rubber boots on this rainy morning
bring me joy, happiness.
stomping in the puddles,
hiking in the wet wet leaves.

standing still as the raindrops
pour down over umbrella,
drops pounding the pond with intensity,
watching mother nature in action.

still winter but with little
signs of spring emerging.
green green shoots of jonquil leaves,
a bit of sun and warm will bring color.

for now the trunks of the trees are grey
and branches bare.
crows caw on this quiet wet morning
flitting from branch to branch before taking flight.

raindrops mix with creek water,
rushing down over rocks
and logs,
dams created.

such beauty and peace
on this raw morning,
such profound love is found
in the stillness and silence...

in Mother Nature
in the Tao.....

losing things...
misplacing life

stuffed animals
a ring
articles of clothing
books
a memory
a name

all small deaths
reminders of
the impermanence
we exist within

the losing
grows

first crushes
early loves
dear animals
friendships

years pass
loss hastens

deaths come
quickly
unexpectedly
slowly
agonizingly

ever surreal
when they do come

using the small losses
as practice for the larger ones

over and over
letting go
breathing in
breathing out

all remains perfect
as it is
as it unfolds

in eternal harmony
with
the Tao

open fields
blue mountains
hawks soaring
woods ringing
silence & peace