After a failure
there is a moment to pause,
to look with clear and
gentle eyes, to assess. to
learn and then to start again.
JDG
What Comes Next
When realization comes,
whether in flash or flow,
we can no longer pretend we don’t know.
We must then learn how to keep
what we know alive and let it
be both companion and guide.
JDG
If Only
If only the road
from intent to action were
more direct instead
of the circuitous route
it takes going through my head.
JDG
That Immigrant
I tried over and over
to park that large, new-to-me car.
I was half way in.
Parking place was too narrow.
Didn’t want to scrape already parked truck.
Tried to move forward.
Tried to move back.
Scared.
Stuck.
Young Latino man stopped.
Told me what to do.
Saw I couldn’t.
Asked, “Want me to park it?”
I nodded. He did.
I said thanks. He grinned.
That immigrant…
He came, he saw, he conquered
my heart.
JDG
A Little Stillness
A little stillness
lets the muddy waters clear.
We can then begin
to see beneath the stirred up
surface to the depths below.
JDG
Spring Voices
Cherry blossoms sang
pink and strong inspiring
dogwood and redbud
to carry on as their own
sweet voices began to fade.
JDG
Prayer Flags
New leaves, trees’ green lace –
May I wrap myself in your
strong and tender faith.
JDG
A Saving Word
It must have been beginner’s luck.
It certainly
wasn’t skill or
experience,
but as I sat with my sangha,
eyes closed, breathing
in and breathing
out, struggling
with heavy feelings of despair,
a purple and
pink “Hi” appeared
and made me grin.
JDG
Bird’s Eye View
Rising sun filters
through new green leaves, igniting
cherry trees beyond.
A line of crows sits across
the road cawing harsh critiques.
JDG
Necessary Conversation
When even the smallest task seems too much
and my shoulders
hunch beneath
so much
weight,
I
turn to
my body
and softly ask,
“How can I help?” The reply, when it comes,
overflows with
relief. “I’m
glad you
asked
and
didn’t
just give up.
If we keep on
talking, I am sure we can work things out.”
JDG
