Curls of clouds,

high above the songs of cardinals,

their red wings brush the air that chill my face


Upon the road that beckons forth the wheels,

they carry me through joy,

to places wide and free


From which my mind will abandon thought and then,

my heart does sing a melody of love,

with sun on my face and brow


Winds nudge,

they drive me forward in motion towards peaks and plains,

the landscape changes its mind, and my view


Riding there and back,

out beyond the limits of lights and lanes,

there lies tranquility on my bike

Across my path, skipping on air uplifting, yellow wings pulse erratic in fashion as they go about their flight of fancy. I think not much, yet smile for such lighthearted play before me.

Moments and miles pass, alas, yellow wings appear and arrive in the sigh of the wind. As if to capture me they whip wildly in every direction as I dodge and lean, avoiding collision in our dance of dare.

Like ticking hands of clever clockwork they point in my direction, and I wonder of the message scripted on the yellow wings of things seeking my attention.

I think not of random chance in meeting yellow wings so plenty, and I begin to see the glee in the creatures flight. The crawler once grounded is now the flyer free, to be everything it dreamt impossible. To relinquish what was and greet what is, with gusto and fervor in fever pitch.

I nod and acknowledge the message received, the butterfly and I affirm our mantra, “I am not he, tis merely me, morphed into spirit soaring.” I sense the change and feel the difference between what was hidden and that which magic has revealed, through eyes upon yellow wings.

Setting out, Sun reflects his light through trees bare of leaves, their limbs cast shadows on the road, like veins made visible they lay across the land connecting everything…shift.

Ahead, eyes focused forward, the larger picture is laid before me, the details in the distance dance out of bounds, only becoming clear when they wish for me to know them…shift.

Standing tall, rising to heed the call of the climb, I feel my breath and hear the beat of my heart keeping time with the turning of my feet. Adversity rides with me, he questions my confidence and fortitude without seeing I have made it this far before…shift.

Flying, only downward rather than up. My legs quickly turn, refreshed from the release of tension. The howling in my ears mixed with the rush of speed assures me I am alive…shift.

The winds refuse to ease, and they remind me of their promise to make me stronger. My body is slow, but steady is the rhythm, and my acceptance of the challenge rewards me…shift.

Behind me now is all that has been achieved. Turning home, Sun warms my shoulders as birds dart from bush to branch, asking me to stay. Shadows grow long while lingering clouds disappear giving way to Moon, her face pale in the hours before twilight…shift.

Out here, I am offered perspective. Beautifully, nature eases the effort of riding through life, shifting gears.

Like a thousand bees
my thoughts can seize
and freeze my creativity

I come up with one
and before its done
another has taken its place

My mind like a cup
its hard to keep up
with all that arises to overflowing

“Be quiet and quit
lest I lose my wit”
and wisdom to such rapid fire

Retreat, observe, and breathe
allow them to be, to weave
the tapestry of creative desire

Listening as nature narrates Spring
Glistening blades of new grass bring
Robins that sing
Inspiring

Bands of color white, green and gold
Stand in splendor that hearts behold
Expression so bold
Beauty unfold

Feeling the breeze it sways the tree
Reeling in thanks for eyes that see
Life in thee
Affectionately

Basking in the warmth of day
Asking Sun to toss away
Clouds of gray
To yesterday

Free me of the winter past
See the Spring arrive at last
Away the cold is cast
Happily fast

Holding me spellbound is the embrace of nature.

Rocks scatter and shape the banks of the river, whose rushing water plays like laughter, muffling all sound of the world in hectic pace.

Tumbling water is a beautiful teacher, with notes of what it means to flow, lessons in yielding to obstacles that impede movement and purpose.

Possessing grace of power it easily forges a new path, without concern that it has altered course. The new direction, the new way, allows it to continue on.

Cool air rises above the commotion of change, bathing my being with clean rejuvenation. I take long, deep breaths to load my lungs with freshness, my body with exhilaration.

Lifting my chin to face the sun while balancing on slick stones, the water edges nearer to my feet. I stoop to touch it and hold the coldness in my hand, fingers tingling. Both hands in, splashing the water on my face and cooling my cheeks.

I smile and stand with pause, the water is alive and shares with me its vitality, born of the elements and carried from infant streams high atop mountains. Humble beginnings grow and widen to a broader perspective.

This water knows only one way, the way forward. Yet from the rushes, small pools form among quiet coves, where water takes time to slow and rest.

My reflection is still, protected from waves that disturb the peace. No depth of thought, only solace.

From here, zen water gathers strength and momentum, to reemerge with vigor joining the river once more.

Squinting, gazing downstream, I see life continue on, dancing around rocks and skipping over sunken branches until the way forward fades and I no longer see what lies ahead, now trusting that where it goes I will find myself there.

The words of birds I do not understand

Yet, the songs they sing are familiar melodies

Of love and joy for seasons new, they lift their voice

To sing of today with fresh approach, yesterday is forgotten and no longer

With lilt and loft their lyrics reach me, easing the rise from sleep

The promise of morning, as dawn seems to linger, brings wings of color to my ear

When light becomes bright their voices fade to distant trees, through woods does the chorus sing softly

The awakening songs have given way to the day unfolding, and fetching seed for the young to feed they tend to the task with tune

Birds sing to say take not the day so stern, be light with thought and carry always joyful refrain

For each morning you can be, alive and free to sing songs of happiness

Earth and sky surround me
Stars cast light that guide me
Celestial spirits embrace me
Love is the pulse that sustains me
The life I live creates me
Trust is the silence that comforts me
Kindness from others reflects me
Stillness is a power that supports me
Nature and her beauty inspire me
Divine guidance leads me
to the soul which is me
and together with me
we will always be
the greatest gift

If only I could make you see
that you and me are really “we”
and together we are “them” and “those”
not separate from the love that grows
inside the one, the us, the all

Through threads of budding twigs,
white air drifts against pale blue silk.
Twilight gathers her art,
to brush the dusk with strokes of sunset and notions of stars.
Amber etchings sketched with lavender haze
call evening to days done.
Dim of light,
night casts broad sweeps of deep violet and black,
darkness the canvas of ethereal features.