necessary subtraction

minus the drama and suffering of fools
take -away nonsense
subtract excess
less pettiness and negativity


plus quiet and
spaciousness
add-in long walks and dog petting
include plenty of  breath
increase yoga connections


equals
inner peace
centeredness
and equanimity

everyday warrior

enter the battle alone

two inner worlds collide
is it a duel
or dual?

same story
same lies
hidden wounds  resembling
chalk-scrawl slashed on blackboards

backbone cracking
heart openers
bend and
release
truth
like poprocks

don't even realize you are at war with yourself
how absurd you are ONE entity
interconnectedness
a veiled binary code
full of divide and conquer
messaging
or deciphering integration
as pure experience?

clarity rushes in
painting over inner landscape
in sunny yellow strokes
covering the dark gray soot
of deceit

the battle resumes
facing demons
grants secret crevices
permission
to ooze and release their shame

fragments scatter
like decaying autumn leaves
convening for a timberland
bonfire

the victor birthed it,
vast and boundless
charred and struggling
to fashion the mysterious
and singular
warrior

disembodied forested
illusion!
liberation simply
a semblance of
connectedness
of equals
on
parallel yet occasionally
labyrinthian paths

only ever one
the ONE that heals, nourishes and
marches on
and on
AND on...

first steps- an ode to the women of the Philadelphia FDC

will you think of me
when you first step on the verdant, green earth again
yielding to her rich submersion
enriched by and on  terra firma
with your newly sweetened soul
as if the bees could
gather your nectar into honey

will you think of me
when you greet the starry night
an astral gaze at the clouds worshipping a crescent moon


will you think of me
basking under a blazing sun
allowing its warmth to kindle your inner flame


will you think of me
as you acknowledge the magic in the mist
or the music in the breeze
as you sit and notice the tears pricking your eye
because of your new connectivity

will you think of me
whence the river calls your name
and orates like a sanctuary
overflowing with promise
and curiosity for the next unfolding

will you think of me?
because nature has become your church

on being whimsical

i once offered you a pretend ice cream cone
what flavor do you prefer sir?
one scoop or two?
my, oh my, someone has a sweet tooth!!
all the flavors in the world
here for your choosing
behind the bars
where choice is limited
and oh so prized...
take your pick
let your imagination run wild
enjoy the cool, smooth, and creamy
delight
before it melts in the sun, vanishing
before returning to your cell
be momentarily transported
back to an enchanted childhood
that existed in your favorite dream

Just Call Me Teflon Girl

Just Call Me Teflon Girl

Insults hurled, barbs like arrows gaining speed
Far-flung language and under-handed jabs lobbed my way
Misfires? maybe...
Makes no matter- I am Teflon Girl

The criticisms and hurts are only a mirror if I'm holding one
They no longer represent my Truth
Only That which serves the Highest Good in Me sticks
The oft-reported shortcomings have nowhere to land
Slipping and sliding into oblivion
I am Teflon Girl

Sturdy like armor, protecting what is of value
Preserving and insulating like a chest-full of that stuff
My heart beats on

I am Teflon Girl

My first mixed-race party

It was a poetry slam:
children, young adults and me and Bob
gathered around the yard sharing a bite,
a laugh, a spoken word.

Relaxed, some new faces, a few slowly
becoming friends.
It wasn't until hours after the last
departed that I realized-
This was the first time
blacks and whites had mixed socially in
our home...first embarrassed then excited
as it dawned on me that  this could become
our new
reality.
We could actually open our home more often
because I've always enjoyed entertaining.
I liked that my children could see my graciousness and
generosity as genuine for these guests as for
our old friends and family that frequent S. Park Drive.

Seems kind of silly, but it feels like an important moment in
our lives....

Cause I can't change....even if I, wanted to...even if I tried. Badumbadumpadum!!

After a particularly mindful bike ride, one on which I was experiencing the birds chirping and the wind rustling as if for the first time, I sat by the river bed and got still.  In this space I sensed emotions rising up.  I let them flow and cried as I released the pent up desire for perfection. Why wasn't I a more enlightened being after all my hard work, all my attempts to change and grow and raise my consciousness?? After all, I practice yoga most days, have a dedicated meditation practice and read inspirational and mindfulness based essays and poetry. After this self-flagellation, I "heard" in my spirit the song's lyrics return to me. "Cause I can't change...even if I, wanted to...even if I tried".
The words had been in the background of my mind during the bike ride and now they were back again but to teach my something very important.

This message from somewhere in and yet beyond me, was saying I was getting it all wrong if I thought I had to work at change.  God is the only one that can actually effect lasting change in us or else the ego would take the credit! Chuckling at this I continued this mixture of emotions riding the waves of laughter and then tears of relief and deep gratitude.  I could actually let go of the need to be a better me...whew! This is FREAKIN HUGE!!!   My highest self wanted me to know that I could and would be used right now in the midst of my imperfect nature...all I had to do was show up, be willing.  And I had thought that when I better resembled Mother Theresa, the Uni-verse would begin using me in more meaningful ways.  Again, WRONG!

I returned the next Tuesday to teach my weekly meditation class at a local prison and was excited to share this good news.  God wants to use YOU-- right here, right now to spread the message of unconditional love and acceptance.  Our willingness to serve is what will change us in all the important, tranformational ways and it will be painless. Our willingness to commit to the mindfulness practices works the magic because presence cannot be easily defined. According to Father Richard Rohr ' Presence can only be experienced.....True presence to someone or something allows them or it to change me and influence me—before I try to change them or it! Beginner’s mind is pure presence to each moment before I label it, critique it, categorize it, exclude it, or judge it.'

Cue the music, maestro! Love me the genius that is Macklemore.