This autumn leaf

See the beauty of this
autumn leaf
glorious colours proclaiming
the essence of nature
impermanence and flow.

See the beauty of this
autumn leaf
hold it in your hand
to touch its essence.
Grasp it
to keep the essence
of its beauty fixed forever
forever an image in mind’s eye.

It is already broken
already gone.
Grasping has crushed its fragility.

See the beauty of this
autumn leaf
glorious colours proclaiming
its essence
of impermanence and flow.

It shines in being seen.

© 11 Oct 17

Don't be a container!

Stop being me in a body
be the creative force
that burns away ego and
yearns to be expressed.
How?
Wait!
Wait till the me voice
has settled down and is silent
then the creative force will speak.
It wants to be met
wants to be heard and expressed.
It isn’t hiding
it is only covered over with the noise of me-ness.

Smile.
Welcome it in
the creative force  that will
shatter all your dreams, hopes and fears
these belong to me
to the imagination, they are not real.
Let it burn away the dross
tear down the walls you have struggled
for so long to build
sweep away all notions of otherness
of me and them.

When your me life lies in tatters
in pieces at your feet
let in the cooling, calming breeze
breath of life, to build a life of space
space for the creative force to move and play.

Your me life is too small
too tight, too much of a container
for the creative force to play.
It needs space.
Put down the belief of embodiment
of this little life in this small shape.
No need to take up anything
new in its place.

Don’t be a container
be the space.

© 12 Oct 17

Poetry booklet reviews

People have recently started buying my poetry booklets via this blog (through PayPal). 

See the original post here 

Here are a few wonderful reviews I have received!

"Your poetry moves me so much & I want to share your poetry with others"

"I read some of your poetry last night at our sangha meeting and would love to buy some for a friend's birthday"

"Thanks for all the great poetry, it is wonderful when I open my email and there is a new poem from you"

"I keep meaning to tell you how much your poetry books mean to me. I read one every day, usually just opening one of the books and seeing where it takes me. It always takes me to what I need. I also read them in our little meditation group, and they are much appreciated. So thank you very much"

These comments make me very happy, and it is such a joy to be able to share the poems with so many people!

:)

How to define the silence that descends

How to define
the silence that descends
needing new words.
The calming peace
of dusk and the settling day.
The companionable quiet
of eating together, enjoying the food.
The comfortable silence
of alone time after a day in company.
The welcoming silence
of being at home in meditation.
The reassuring peace
as night draws in
curtains closed, fire licking logs
collected by my husband.

How to define
the silence that descends?
Calming, companionable,  comfortable
closing, collected quiet.
These words are enough.

© 8 Oct 17

A new insight

A new insight
garden as Sangha.
Each not only caring for
its own growth but
mutual support.
This tree becomes the trellis
for the burgeoning sweet peas.
This composting flower becomes the nourishment
for plants growing nearby.

A new insight
garden as a living, alive entity
not an art exhibition
to be visited occasionally and
viewed briefly
for its aesthetic beauty.

I am no longer an on-looker
but part of this living entity.
Giving life, supporting life
mutual support.
A symphony of cascade, colour, shape
growing together.

© 5 Oct 17

'Yes' and 'love'

I search the whole universe
for words to describe this
precious connection of Oneness.
I ask all the realised teachers
for the right words.
Each of their words is a confirmation
of what is already in my heart.
Not unfamiliar or strange
they are simply
‘yes’ and ‘love’.

Yes
an acknowledgement
an acceptance of life as it is
this passing show
a shifting impermanent shadow play.
Yes
to awareness
watching and delighting in
the passing play
without being pushed or pulled
by any of it.
Yes
to connectedness that binds us together.
Yes
to love itself
an infinite thread creating the fabric
 on which the universe is woven.

Love
a grain of sand
being all earth, all solidity.
Love
a droplet of water
being all streams, rivers and oceans.
Love
a flame in the fire
being all warmth, all light.
Love
an out-breath
being all breath of life.
The wind that carries the song of love
to all corners of the cosmos.
Love
the present moment
being all moments
filling all space.
Love
all words, all languages
all communication and connection.
Love
a means of heart meeting heart.
Love
the yes in me
meeting the yes in you
the smile passed from eye to eye
the clear confirmation of Oneness.

© 1 Oct 17