This Silent Step

Dark shore at twilight,

a lone bird’s quiet shadow

threads the fading light.

Footprints in wet sand,

vanish as the tide exhales—

only dusk remains.

Silhouette lingers,

neither past nor yet to come,

just this silent step.

 

Unbroken Song

A lone bird drifts slow,

over waves that breathe and fade—

sun melts into sea.

Wings carve empty sky,

neither seeking nor holding,

only the still path.

Horizon dissolves,

the bird, the ocean, the sun—

one unbroken song.

 

I Watch the Flicker

I sit. I think I’ve been sitting a long time.

The chair is soft. Or maybe it’s not.

I’m not sure where my legs went.

There’s a light on the wall. It changes.

People move in it.

They smile too wide.

Their mouths don’t match their words.

I don’t know what they want.

Beside me, a woman mumbles into her lap.

She could be my sister.

Or my daughter.

Or a mirror.

I blink.

It’s still Tuesday.

Or Wednesday.

I think I had soup.

Something is funny. The man laughs.

I laugh too, just in case.

It feels right.

Or it used to.

I see a beach on the screen.

The waves know my name.

I want to go there.

I think I already did.

Maybe I never left.

A nurse touches my arm.

She says “sweetheart.”

I like that word.

She smells like lemons. Or clouds.

I want to ask her something…

But the thought floats away—

gone before I can catch it.

Like the others.

So many others.

I turn back to the flicker.

It’s still there.

Still glowing.

I wait for something to begin.

It already has.

Or maybe it never will.

 

A Shrine of the Moment

Breathe in the tide, slow and still—

the moment crests without a name.

No future, no past to fill,

only now, a flickering flame.

The temple stands without a door,

waves bow low upon its stones.

Time forgets what came before,

wind recites the ocean's tones.

Each grain of sand a sutra’s page,

each breath a bell that softly rings.

The world outside—a drifting stage,

within, the hush of ancient things.

No need to seek, no place to run,

the shore unfolds beneath your feet.

With every rise of morning sun,

the self and sea in silence meet.

A gull cries once—then disappears,

its echo fades into the blue.

Like thoughts that vanish with our fears,

the now is vast, and always new.

Sit with the sea, be still and bare,

no temple roof, no monk in sight.

Yet sacredness is everywhere,

in salt and spray, in shade and light.

So let the moment be your shrine,

with tide and breath in perfect flow.

The sea is yours, the stars align—

no place to be, and nowhere to go.

 

Seaside Serenade

I'd like to send you the mysteries of the sea,

As I watch the ocean lap rocks with wet,

Slowly breaking,

Shadows in between.

I'll unveil the secrets held beneath the tide,

Where creatures dance in hidden realms untamed,

Where coral reefs adorn the ocean's pride,

And vibrant hues in harmony are framed.

Within these depths, where sunlight fades away,

A world of wonders silently unfolds,

Where ancient tales in seashells gently sway,

And whispered voices of the mermaids are told.

The waves, like whispers, carry distant dreams,

Whispered promises of adventures yet unseen,

And in their ebb and flow, a symphony it seems,

A timeless dance where land and ocean convene.

Beneath the moonlit sky, the water gleams,

Reflecting stars that sprinkle cosmic light,

The universe, in fragments, it redeems,

Guiding sailors through the tranquil night.

On sandy shores, the footprints gently fade,

As time erodes the marks of those who roam,

But the ocean, with its memory unswayed,

Carries stories of wanderers far from home.

In stormy tempests, fierce waves crash and roar,

As thunder rumbles through the salty air,

Yet in their chaos, a wild beauty they store,

A reminder of nature's strength and flair.

The seagulls soar, their wings against the breeze,

Their cries harmonize with the ocean's song,

They dance upon the currents with such ease,

And in their flight, a sense of freedom throngs.

The salty mist upon my face does kiss,

As sea spray lingers, sweet upon my lips,

And as I gaze upon the horizon's bliss,

A longing stirs within, a voyage that equips.

So, let me send you these eternal tales,

Wrapped in the whispers of the ocean's tide,

As mysteries unfold in hidden veils,

May they inspire and forever be your guide.

For in the vast expanse of sea and sky,

The mysteries of life and love reside,

Let the waves embrace you, as time goes by,

And may your spirit forever with the sea coincide.

Oh, the mysteries of the sea,

waiting for you and me,

breaking, rolling, unfolding endlessly,

in waves of eternity...

 

Nature's Song

 Once upon a time, in a land nestled between rolling hills and crystal-clear streams, there existed a vibrant forest called Edenia. This enchanted realm was a tapestry of colors and life, where creatures big and small dwelled in perfect harmony, and nature flourished untouched by the hands of man.

Within Edenia, the towering trees whispered ancient wisdom to one another, sharing stories of balance and interconnectedness. The animals danced through the undergrowth, their footprints leaving a gentle touch upon the earth. The rivers flowed gracefully, their currents serenading the land with a melody of serenity. It was a symphony of nature's song, where every note was played in perfect unison.

However, as with many tales, a shadow loomed over this idyllic paradise. Humanity, with its insatiable desires and boundless ambition, yearned to conquer and control the wonders of Edenia. One day, they ventured into the forest, armed with axes and saws, ready to harvest the abundance nature had bestowed upon them.

The first tree they felled cried out in anguish, its leaves trembling as it fell to the ground. The forest gasped, sensing the wickedness of this act. The animals watched in fear as their sanctuary was invaded, their homes destroyed, and their peaceful existence shattered. The rivers wept, their once-clear waters turning murky from the residue of human intrusion.

As the trees were torn asunder, a deafening silence replaced the harmonious melody that once resonated through Edenia. The animals scattered, seeking refuge in the few remaining pockets untouched by human greed. The rivers slowed to a trickle, struggling to find their course amidst the chaos. The delicate balance that held the forest together was unraveling, and darkness cast its long shadow across the land.

Yet, nature, resilient and wise, refused to surrender completely. Deep within the heart of Edenia, a single tree stood tall, its branches outstretched, as if sheltering the remaining creatures from the wickedness of humanity. It whispered words of hope and resilience to those who sought solace beneath its protective canopy.

As the whispers spread, a spark of unity ignited within the hearts of the animals. They realized that to save Edenia, they must band together and resist the encroachment of mankind. The squirrel chattered, the bird sang, and the deer leaped in a show of defiance. Inspired by their unity, the rivers surged with renewed strength, cleansing their wounds and reclaiming their once-pure essence.

Word of this resistance reached the human inhabitants, their hearts touched by the courage of the creatures they had wronged. A few among them acknowledged the wickedness of their actions and stood against the destruction they had wrought. They rallied others to join their cause, advocating for the restoration of harmony within Edenia.

Together, the awakened humans and the resilient creatures worked tirelessly to heal the wounds inflicted upon the forest. They planted saplings where once mighty trees had fallen, creating a tapestry of growth and renewal. They nurtured the rivers, purifying their waters and restoring their vibrant flow. Slowly, the harmony of nature began to reemerge.

As time passed, the wickedness of humanity was replaced by a newfound understanding and respect for the delicate balance of Edenia. The forest, once ravaged, flourished once more, and the symphony of nature's song returned to its rightful place. The animals and humans lived side by side, their interactions guided by reverence and gratitude.

And so, the parable of Edenia teaches us that in the face of humanity's wickedness, there is always the potential for redemption and restoration. It reminds us that the harmony of nature should be cherished and protected, for it is a delicate masterpiece that depends on our responsible stewardship. May we remember this...

Carefree

Carefree
Disconnected from drama

The way life was intended to be

Still I Try

I reach out

to no one there

yet still I try
 

Down for the count

Nothing leads to nothing

as time passes away
 

Let Them

Somethings are meant to be

if we just let them
 

I hear a symphony

Summer voices shout and sing

youth set free to take wing

a symphony of joy

the world their toy
 

Like our days

Our beach of memories

sometimes it takes us away

sometimes it sets us free

as the waves come and go

rolling by like our days

 

Walk Away

Walk away from heartache

clear from the shadows

where sorrow lingers

nowhere is a good place to go

love pushed aside

 

Horizon

There's always something

waiting on the horizon
 

Unhappy

 

We're not happy,

unless we're unhappy

It vanishes

When we don't treasure freedom,

it vanishes.....
 

Random

 

With grace, we share our passing

touched in parting

our random nature

Our Loss

They fought for the freedom

we so happily give away

the loss is ours
 

Scarcely Noticed

Our yesterdays are forgotten

with each passing today

our todays scarcely noticed

 

Provisions

 

Our home provides

from within we find

peace when needed