a poem for our time:
A Pablo Neruda Poem
honoring the process
In A TOILET BOWL
Grace in a Toilet Bowl
Yes, you read that correctly.
I found grace in the most
inconspicuous places
like toilet bowls
and dirt-packed laundry.
Was there ever enough time
or clothespins?
Hardly….
bookkeeping with numbers
that multiplied
and vegetables
and weeds
and meals
as daylight
diminished.
Then one
evening, unaware
you staged
a Divine Ambush.
So ample life now,
and time.
Surely you heard my praises.
But tell me,
was I the first to thank
the toilet bowl
and pay homage
to the weeds
and laundry
as I clung
to your fringe?
It’s A Pokey Business
It’s a pokey
situation
searching for desert nectar.
The wise thing
anyone
can do
is follow
the
flicker.
Temptations to Love
Take time today
my Dear.
Unsee the things you see.
Unknow the things you know.
Especially, unhear them.
If seeing sneaks into
your trained eyes, close them.
If opinions sneak into your reason untie them.
If hearing causes you to unhear-
then dismiss the words.
At hand there is nothing
greater than unleashing these
in front of you
in truth, inside.
I risk a lot
even speaking of such
to you.
But this secret is a good one.
Keep nothing in mind.
See without seeing.
Unhear all that
clutters the heart and robs your peace.
Suddenly you will see.
Suddenlly you will hear.
Suddenly you will understand.
HOMAGE TO ROBERT LAX
Wake from this sleepless night.
All discourd was not dreamt, was it?
“Tell me, my love?”
You hold near to hear these words.
Rest at the counter with coffee and thanks.
It will come.
Let the night of sleeplessness recede.
Hold still
long enough
to bump into
yourself.
Hold still.
Spirit insures.
The promise
is
here.
Hard wired we go to this and that grasping the moment.
Full circle
circles back
in you
my
friend.
Let’s not
be fussy.
Re-Lax
accourding
to R. Lax.
BE DEEP
Be deep
in
your faith
Be shallow
in
your doubt
Be rich
in
forgiveness
Be poor
in blame
Be naked
in your
pride
Turn ashes
from
the flame
Love is
in the
embers
It’s
the
ego
one
must
tame
YOU MIGHT THINK
You might
think
I’m a
know-it-all
I’m really
your friend
Showing how
to love
Here to defend
Take up
the good life
You’ll never
see
defeat
No matter
where
you travel
as long as
you love
Put the spirit
in your step
just like a hand
in glove
WALK ON WALK ON
I sing love songs
to the maker
I hum
with the bees
praising ever flower
each flower
pleases me
Walking on a trail
looking high
at trees
sensing just this
moment
eternity
and
me
While your life
is at it
and your feet
know not the way
Gentle your spirit
put on Christ and pray
walk on
walk on
there’s light
in
every
day
PRECIOUS ONE (PRAYER FOR THE WEARY)
My rivers
run
deep
My mountains
rise high
Low and behold
I’m ever at your side
Fret no more
my gentle one
grasp my hand
it’s near
Together
we will walk
crushing
every fear
Into a field
of blooms
upon a
mossy trail
My love
for you
my precious
one
Will
never
ever
fail
truth to tell 