The truth you wish to discover?
              it will only make you shudder

The only way to be enlightened
       is to have the self totally abandoned

Honest and wise?
I'm ignorant and also tell lies!

Because everyone insists on their individual say
   no wonder the world doesn't make any headway

They come to you
     not for your sake
     but hope from you
     what they can take

My enemy I clearly understand
   with my friend, I know not where I stand

Human nature
  far from being a treasure

If life you don't tune properly
how could it render you a rich melody?

From the remote dizzy heights
of the cliff stood a proud raven
surveying below with watchful eyes
no gunman would see where it was hidden-

the baby-birds had been richly fed
summer sun gushed out its light so resplendent
the nest was safe on a sturdy tree in an old estate
intermittent shrill caws echoed from moment to moment

The now is
the call
live, live well
before the last nightfall--

breathe, breathe deeply
winter ushers in the bitter pall #
when the farewell -song has been sung
nothing's left for the heart to ever recall

Of the two-
the experiential and the referential
I have no doubt
I'll choose the former--my essential

In response to a posting today that speaks of unequivocal love :

...but obsessive love has its setbacks, for the true essence of love is individual freedom and expression.  The couple might have different dreams or pursuits but such doesn't distract either from coming together to love and to share in issues that are larger and more important than those of each self'.  Love that curbs, limits or restrains will strain the vital relationship and the result is disaster.  
In short, let love not be possessive, self-serving/gratifying to the exclusion of everything else--
in that state, the sanctity of love shall always be preserved.

I should end by saying that love then becomes a joint-religion of both hearts and, in that purity, all shall be bliss

That I of long ago
still does endure
with time--more so
I am sure

this is the sum total-
what little do I know
of life that's particular
or general- do I scarcely grow

if any, at all?
yet fleeting moments
simple, ordinary, small
guide my waking movements

all said, this is the overall:
though ignorant, myself I still own
I should stand tall and not fall
living is about being what I am--alone

I will never want to be winner
if that results in someone being a loser

I should write not to repudiate
but life to celebrate

People puzzle me
as soon as I thought
I knew someone
that person sprang
a sudden surprise
proving entirely
the opposite of
what I thought

was it my fault
to have trust
or was I just
too naive?

but if
I held the view
people should
not be trusted
how would I
make other people
trust me?

It would
be great
if we are
all dogs
they teach
us more
than we ever
had thought

It will either be
more 'Quack, quack'
or goodbye to
' Quack, quack'.

What we can be depends on the extent of our vision and imagination- we have to reach out beyond our self to realise our full potential.

Is old age folly or wisdom?
that I cannot tell
only wish everyone would say:
' my life has been lived fully and well'

Youth did bask in fields lush and green 
alien it was to life's very tears
middle-age was a rude awakening
it first knew the meaning of doubt and fears.

Stage three was met at 60 and 70
time for reminiscences and recollection
sighs of regret and remorse did abound
much that went before was angst and vexation.

Winter has felled the last leaves from the dying tree
the hours speed on and cast a sombre spell
into the deepest end of midnight lonely I tread
content and ready to bid my final farewell.

...but people study
  not see you as you are
  in closest scrutiny
  with thoughts remote and far

Voice has died down
silent are words
thoughts retreat
all is empty now

When speaking in brevity
is in itself the victory
rambling belongs to the shallow
many who speak do not really know

Money is merely a measure
         not about wellbeing, nor pleasure

.....but what's thinking
          merely word--hunting?

The hours
      you shouldn't count
      forgetting all else
      that's where true meaning is found

Why do you hold back
      in fear
     but act so differently
      when I am not near?

Is what I say
        a cover-up
        keeping truth at bay?

Love might not be the cure
but strength it offers all things to endure

The rose at midday said:
turn away, don't look at me
I'll shrivel up when night hours shed
save yourself the misery!

On this side
you'll hear my story
on the other side--theirs
why incur this misery?

The night
holds its breath
watching people
walking in stealth
whispering
to one another-
it hides away
when a torch
shines in its way
but reappears later

it will not sleep
stories it must gather

There's no mistaking
about this sudden feeling
grace on me is descending
in everything I find new meaning.

This morning
the plants and flowers
look so different, bending
after the heavy showers-

the songs that the birds sing
are new in harmonious chorus
my heart throbs in rapturing
in some mysterious gladness

Late autumn
just a fallen yellow leaf
why do you stop
to look-- then reluctantly leave?

The night does not speak
chooses to listen
it hears your every heartbeat
and thought--your secrets it has stolen

I'm not here
to please or displease
quietly I walk my way
in peace

If I could in return give
that gift would be too small
that which I so richly receive
from you--speaks of love's all

as for my days remaining
every moment we shared I'll recall
the joys of loving, the tears falling
the songs you sang me at evening's fall.

Languid autumn evening
mist gathers above distant hill
over is the day's doing
the heart should be still

to love should be the returning
life should not be like a grinding mill
youth's tenderest moments deserve remembering
every past vow we made we faithfully keep and fulfil.

..but the day
chooses its way
it leaves no room
for what you wish to say

When I search
no longer
that shall be my anchor
into my entire future

Life is less about
our engagement with time
but more about us being engaged
with ourselves in time

Have dreams
but not too long
they will blame you
for doing them wrong

if it has no end
that's not a pleasing song!

Such I am so used to-
others' insulting remarks
I am immune-- my skin
bears no bleeding marks

It would be best
I don't re-read
life's past pages
but on new ones to feed

Not high philosophising
that inkling
might just be the right thing!

Should I
or should I not?
my thinking shifts
I don't trust my thought

I don't need
to be an expert
in my humility
I'll be heard

Yesterday I knew
today I'm hardly sure
when tomorrow is due
I hope to be knowing--poor

Put 70% trust
   in people
   as for your self
   99%-- you'd escape trouble!

Temptation
it's healthy
it tests
your integrity