Compassion

Compassion proves we can get outside ourselves, boxed in as we are conceptually as individuals, deluded in our isolation, but those who have it don’t need proof much as they don’t need proof of anything that shows our humanity. They know all of this and more is real.

RAIN CLOUDS OR SUN SHINE
THE BIRDS STAY CLOSE TOGETHER
TWO KNOW TRUTH AS ONE

Text: Linked to dVerse Haibun Monday. Xenia Tran is hosting with the theme of compassion.

Photos: “New Leaves Sharing a Tree”, above, and “Sharing the Park”, below.

Sharing the Park

Natural Patterns

Some patterns are so beautiful
We situate them so
Their shapes or smells or colors tell
Us how true love should flow.

Photos: “Blue Bells”, above, and “The Pattern of a Pine Tree”, below, linked to K’lee and Dale’s Cosmic Photo Prompt with the theme “natural patterns” which in both of these photos have been, perhaps, enhanced by placement in a park.

The Pattern of a Pine Tree

Fallen #writephoto

They live in wisdom who see themselves in all and all in them, whose love for the Lord of Love has consumed every selfish desire and sense craving tormenting the heart.¹

This pair of stones once pointed tall, but now they’re near the ground. It doesn’t matter where they lay.  May our ears hear what they would say with love without a sound.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”²

¹Bhagavad Gita 2.55, Eknath Easwaran translator.
²Gospel of Mark 12:30-31, New International Version

Text: Linked to Sue Vincent’s fallen #writephoto prompt. Also linked to dVerse Meeting the Bar. Amaya challenges us to take two quotes from two different sources. Use one to begin the poem and the other to end it.  I might be stretching this bridge building to think I can meet both of these prompts with one post.

Photo: This is Sue Vincent’s photo provided for use with her #writephoto prompt.

Sue Vincent's #writephoto icon

Still Learning

Is it too late for what I know
To bring back breathing mystery?
The sky’s so deep. Spring breezes blow,
But poverty is what I see.

There must be more. This looks like less.
So I study. May I be
Recovered by what yearns to bless
And smiles with sure serenity.

Text: Linked to dVerse Poetics. Mish is hosting with the theme of still learning. I feel like I am learning to unlearn much of what I thought was true.

Photos: “White and Blue and Evergreen”, above, and “Mild Breeze Moves the Willow on a Bright Blue Day”, below.

Mild Breeze Moves the Willow on a Bright Blue Day

Muddle

This muddle takes its time to clear
All through my mind soaked haze.
If this breeze would calm my fear,
I’d choose to praise these days.

Should something else turn out to be
Fitting for eternity
May that with praise be right with me.

Text: Linked to dVerse Quadrille. De Jackson (aka WhimsyGizmo) is hosting today with the word “muddle”.

Photos: “Awakening with Green”, above, and “Underneath a Willow Tree”, below.

Underneath a Willow Tree

Copper, Silver and Gold

Instead of coins, the shiny kind,
Give me trees to calm my mind.
Instead of gold or silver please
Remember me in forest breeze.

Photos: “Bright and Shiny”, above, “Somewhere Copper, Silver, Gold”, below.  Linked to K’lee and Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge with the them “copper, silver and gold”.

Somewhere Copper, Silver, Gold

Walking to the Botanic Garden

We live close enough to the botanic garden that I can easily walk there. It is even easier to bicycle there, but usually the bicycle comes along for deeper rides on forest preserve trails. The problem with a bike is where to park it when I am tired biking and want to walk.

Finding where to park my mind is difficult, too, even when walking. I wonder, why park it at all? Just let it enjoy itself, as long as it is really enjoying itself and not making me anxious. Should I meditate? Do I walk straight enough? Are there any good movies to watch? Should I be on a keto diet? My mind has plenty to keep it busy dedicated to saving me from fanciful stuff.

That’s why I carry a phone. Rarely does anyone need to call me although an app helps my family locate me. The phone has a camera. When I see something unusual my eyes take me out of my head and I take a picture. Not all of the pictures I take are good. Some have too much light. Some don’t feel interesting. Some make me wonder, did I really see it that way? Some I’m glad I took.

FOLLOW THE BLUE BLOOMS
PROOF THAT SPRING WOKE UP TODAY
TURNING SUMMER ON

Text: Linked to dVerse Haibun Monday. Bjorn is hosting with the theme of “walking”.

Photos: “Willow Trees Realize It Is Spring”, above, and “Blue Guides the Way”, below.

Blue Guides the Way