Pale shadows of early spring –
a sense of unfolding into fragile hours,
not ours to keep.
White winter days of danger past
and still, that on-going uncertainty.
A word in every drop of crystal breath,
Caught and held a nano-second
and hope running back to a beginning
never found.
A glossy serpent bites its tail
in an endless game repeating itself.
This circle, this oval orb
Empty yet containing all.

In a world
full of fear, be  courageous.
In a world
where few care, be compassionate.
In a world
full of lies, be honest.
In a world
full of phonies, be yourself.
The world
hopes for you
and can be better because of you.

The sky knows no bounds for the heavenly lark
The grass never wilts when you walk through the park
But joy has no place
Until sorrow you taste
For you can’t see the light till you’ve stood in the dark

Just what are you hoping to find?
To advance you must empty your mind
There’s no need to search
Or belong to a church
Simply strive to patient and kind

The sages admonish edacious pursuits
So soften the ego and strengthen your roots
Don’t work up a swelter
Over hunger and shelter
Just learn to subsist on intangible fruits

So, I’m drawn to your religion
On the basis of aesthetic.
I want to feel the way that
Golden, plump, laughing Buddha
Feels without having to read the stories.
I want to embrace the wu wei--
Whatever that means--
I want to sit criss-crossed
In the long, naples yellow grass
With no ticks.
In the orange afternoon sun
With no nighttime.  
I want to worship at a smoky altar
And feel the arms of
My Goddess wrap around me.
Hear her voice: slow, smooth, but stern.
“Thank you,” for the sacrifice.
I want to be divine--God
Gaze down from the Heavens
And take pride in my light
Like I am your son;
I want to be free of the burden
Of my humanness,
Lifted,
Cleansed,
Purified.
I wish to be free of desire
And so it is the desire which ails me.
And I curse nothing more
Than I curse my hungry heart
And my faulty mind.
Lifted,
Cleansed,
Purified.

The current of life always flowing
The river remains, the water keeps going
Escapes from your hand
Turning rocks into sand
Its secret is something worth knowing

An unkindness of ravens may pester your soul
And challenge your heart till your patience is full
Embrace them with grace
Put yourself in their place
Not until then will your spirit be whole