week 669~ as if waiting for the moon rise

as if waiting for the moon rise
now birds fall silent insects hum
themselves to sleep dreaming of sun
watching the forest through their eyes
we welcome evening in disguise
troubles dropping by the wayside
lost in fallen acorns they hide
with past disappointments as if
they realize a single wiff
of doubt could shove our peace aside

week 483 ~ snowbound

snowbound
peace falls
ice-crowned
snowbound
confound
time’s calls
snowbound
peace falls

week 474 ~ the most important thing is peace

the most important thing is peace
of mind the kind that leads to sleep
at night where promises will keep
and you can let yourself release
control convince your brain to cease
obsessing trust in the moment
without asking where the dream went
knowing life’s still as it should be
where you left it close your eyes see
you’ve just paused waiting for intent

week 468 ~ I wish I truly felt that way

I wish I truly felt that way
it would be so much easier
to sleep at night to dream infer
peace from silence ignore decay
be hopeful keep the dark at bay
hold onto evening visualize
what never despite many tries
becomes in the end actual
though nothing’s inevitable
there’s sorrow when I close my eyes

week 459 ~ solemnity of sacred space

solemnity of sacred space
cool against the swirl of commerce
forcing thoughts to pause we immerse
ourselves honor this ancient place
of prayer and hope the fame we chase
fades we breathe and can simply be
for a moment here lost but free
to reflect allow gratitude
to fill us and in solitude
acknowledge the joy of beauty

week 411 ~ slowly the sky fills with pink blue

slowly the sky fills with pink blue
melts to grey day is nearly done
I watch an audience of one
here on the island not quite true
for sitting close beside me you
process the transition your way
quiet reigns what is there to say
waves lap shore fades wind blows the damn
rooster crows dark grows and I am
at peace troubles swept clean away

week 400 ~ there is a simple life out there

there is a simple life out there
of home repose blooming gardens
it’s not often mine time hardens
into tracks I find myself where
I’m heading in need of repair
but sometimes sitting in the sun
thinking nothing letting time run
I almost achieve a balance
here and now the unknown distance
inconsequential peace begun

week 301 ~ sunlight dapples waves lap the shore

sunlight dapples waves lap the shore
we lie here dreaming of nothing
at all for we hold everything
in this moment not needing more
here there’s no after no before
only the wind through the aspen
not wondering what will happen
just memorizing how this feels
forestalling time until its wheels
run past us and this turns to then

week 261 ~ let’s make peace and give it a chance

let’s make peace and give it a chance
make dinner and serve it up hot
let’s make love and marry or not
make some babies teach them to dance 

make good music a grand entrance
make time without asking what for
make art make dreams come true and more

make mistakes make amends make tea 

make someone laugh make them happy
let’s make a better world not war

I have been trying to write a poem about peace for my friend Jamie’s “Poets Against War” on her blog Into the Bardo. Everything came out so stilted– no point trying to force the muse– until I was in the airport in Rio thinking about my family and events of the past few weeks, and this decima just popped out. A bit late, Jamie, but heartfelt.

week 249 ~ the rustle of aspen leaves

the rustle of aspen leaves
a sanctuary of peace
unravel old time’s rent sleeve
and savor the sweet release

a sanctuary of peace
so laugh throw away the key
and savor the sweet release
when there’s nothing left to be

so laugh throw away the key
there’s no need to lock the door
when there’s nothing left to be
you require nothing more

there’s no need to lock the door
as your demons disappear
you require nothing more
what you’re searching for is here

as your demons disappear
unravel old time’s rent sleeve
what you’re searching for is here
the rustle of aspen leaves