The Struggle

First write the sentence

The struggle to spark inspiration:

Sometimes you have to climb the ladder to reach the summit

even if the ladder is not there.

The day was cold on our last meeting. We would be strangers to each other again.

Sincerity of the morning mist:

A hummingbird approaches the wisteria.

A heard conversation: Some gestures can’t cover inadequacies,

there will be time.

A leaky roof and a wet page, words washed away

A distraction that misplayed a pitch.

Today I will get the trowel, plant 

a lemongrass on the page.

 

A Thought or Two

1

I see a stretch of time

the sword that will cut it to pieces

each piece flies and scatters

over forests, villages, rivers

I stand there

on the mountain top wondering

how I can chase each piece

2

Flowers , like orchids or primproses,

grow side by side in the garden

at certain times

cross its other’s river of consciousness

bees attracted by colors seen or unseen

eavesdrop, carry their conversations away.

note: I walked to the river yesterday and colored my day with flowers.

Weeding

A weed there, a weed here

the inevitability of weeding

I bend and pull, bend and pull

more breathing space for vegetables and flowers

movements, repetitiveness absorbs the time

engrossed in the rigor

delightfulness of ordinary task

on an ordinary day

a blessing when I don’t procrastinate.

Can you see the white egret?

More Questions

Do I have to count my steps to know that my world has changed?

Do I always involve all my senses whenever I go out? 

Do I only remember what I experienced?

Would I remember what I imagined?

These seeds, these black pearls stir imagination.

My time warps

in gravitational universe

Where are you?

If time is ours

a long “sticky cuddle”

-a wide long think.

What is real?

What is controversial?

Did I open a secret?

Mutual learning exposed to the sun

shadows are temporary mists

everything becomes a borrowed book.

All toils

are not in vain.

If time

is ours

well, then

-a long “sticky cuddle.”

Significance

The creek joins the stream

Three streams merge with the river

A bear approaches the water

The river enters the sea

A celebration, meeting of the minds

What does it mean to have confluence, fraternity?

Pages of stories, collected moths

Should I write them down?

I ask my friend.

She laughs, then

Kisses me.

Just remember, she says.

Tide flows upstream.

The breeze carries scent of jasmine

From the forest, to the river, to ocean of consciousness

Reality and what we imagine

With enduring significance.

Eye and Bee

She longs for awareness

expansive reach of the eye

-wonders

Flowers

What is it to a bee?

-unimaginable

A leaf

What is it to the eye?

-a tree

note: All the photos were taken during my walk to the river today.