Tag Archive | poem

Zen

Apr17

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Cashew lies down on the floor

Very content 

Without a care

As I blow dry my hair

 

I’ve been wondering what goes on

In that head of hers as she lies there

I’ve noticed she spends a lot of time

Sitting and staring into space

What is her thought process during these times?

How does she entertain herself?

 

The times she sleeps, eats, and plays

I understand

But what about when she stares into the distance?

 

I know dogs are different from people

I should not compare

But this question comes up again and again

 

Maybe those times are her zen times

Her meditation times

Maybe that’s why she’s so relaxed

Maybe I should meditate more too

It seems to be working for Cashew!

 

April 17th, 2020

Our new reality

Apr10

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Our new reality

Two feet apart

Grandparents who can’t be visited

Parties that can’t be held

Schools out of session

Universities on line

Theatres and sports arenas empty

Working from home

Zoom meetings

Isolation for those who live alone

 

If we choose International cooperation

Share scientific data

Care for the vulnerable in our communities

House those who live on the streets

Commute less

Pray more

Empathize more

Share more

Acknowledge the oneness of our species

Acknowledge our interdependence

 

Then our new reality

Has some draw-backs in the short term

But it can be very beneficial in the long run

 

April 10th, 2020

Zoom mehmouni*

Apr7

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During these times of no mehmouni

We’re resorting to Zoom ones

There are advantages involved

With no commute time or air plain ride

We can come together from various counties in the world

Cross-continental mehmounis are what we have now

We can bring our cup of tea or our ‘tokhmeh’*

We can even have a meal at the same time

We can arrive when we want

And leave when we want

We can be inside or outside

Zoom mehmounis are wonderful

The only things we can’t do is talk at the same time

 

April 7th, 2020

 

Mehmouni:  party

Tokhmeh: seeds in their shell that are cracked and eaten as refreshment

Our times

Apr4

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The streets are empty

The parks are empty

No one is going to the movies

The parking lots are empty

Traffic is light

Many people are in their homes

The trees are breathing cleaner air

The bird are singing in clearer skies

Families are having more family time

Coffee time, dinner time

Are spent together unlike before

Everybody is trying to adapt and improvise

Work places are empty

Zoom meetings are all the rage

Working from home saves people the commute time

These changes are bound to affect our world view

Our priorities

Our activities

Our jobs

These changes are giving the planet a chance to breath

A chance to recuperate from our all out assault 

These changes will give us pause to reassess

How will live, what we do and how

 

April 4th, 2020

Interesting times

Mar27

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These are interesting times

We have virtual coffee dates

Zoom get togethers

And communicate with others

From the comfort of our homes

 

These are interesting times

Empty streets

Stores that had to close

Even hairdressers!

I’d say this is an essential service

Especially for the ladies

 

These are interesting times

Health care workers

Are putting themselves in danger

To save others’ lives

 

These are interesting times

Families can spend more time together

And we are forced to slow down

 

These are interesting times

Resilience is needed

Hope is essential

Patience is necessary

And creativity is helpful

 

These are interesting times

Kind words and deeds go a long way

Prayer and meditation provide a balm

Nature is still our playground

 

These are interesting times

We can see that the world has become

A global village

Cooperation is needed

And we each need to do our part

 

March 26th, 2020

What is one to do?

Mar23

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Leaving when not yet done

Little time left for saying good bye

Sudden departure

Unexpected

Leaving a very special spot

 

But isn’t that how the world works

Our plans are often interrupted

Sometimes we are blindsided

And then we have to say good bye

To things, people or plans close to our hearts

A beautiful building we had built in our mind

Crumbles and falls

 

And what is one to do but endure the pain

Of separation from a loved one

Or a plan not fulfilled

What is one to do but accept the situation as it is

What is one to do but to be thankful

For what remains

 

March 23rd, 2020

Waiting to grow up

Mar9

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I sometimes feel like I’m still waiting to grow up

That other people (those who are grown up)

Are doing the important things

I sometimes feel

Oh, in a few years I’ll be better at this

I should keep practicing

I sometimes feel others are far more experienced than me

They have grown up and are the real deal

I sometimes feel like I’m eighteen

I feel insecure

Not ready

Watching others do things more competently than me
But then I realize

This is it!

It’s as good as it’s going to be

That I’ve already done a lot of practicing

I will obviously not be good at many things

Many people will surpass me in different fields

But this is it

I have grown up

Even though I feel like I’m eighteen and still practicing

 

March 9th, 2020

 

Vaccine

Mar5

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The world is in the grips of a deadly virus

The evidences of which are clear for all to see

Every one is told to be careful

And follow instructions to stay safe from this virus, this disease

But what about the invisible virus of prejudice and greed?

Of injustice and materialism?

Who is looking at the ramifications of these?

Who is giving instructions for our safety?

We see the result of prejudice and greed

Why don’t we look for a vaccine?

We see what injustice and materialism have led to

Why don’t we try to prevent these?

The diseases of the body get a lot of attention

But not the diseases  of our soul and our spirit

March 5th, 2020

The strength in our scars

Feb28

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My friend told me very matter of factly

That she had had a double mastectomy

I had to take a minute to digest what she said

And yet she is the one who had gone through such an invasive surgery

 

She didn’t seem to feel sorry for herself

She had a serene look on her face

She said some things had actually improved in her home life as a result

 

I’m sure what she had gone through could not have been easy

Where did her strength come from?

 

The mystery of sacrifice

We give up something to gain something else

 

Is it fair?

Perhaps it’s not about fairness

It’s about our response to the challenges of life

 

If through suffering, we didn’t gain strength

That would be unfair

 

Our scars are the symbols of our resilience

Our fortitude

Our victory

 

February 27th, 2020

Writing

Feb21

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Do you know how you anticipate eating a delicious meal that’s waiting for you?

How you can almost taste it?

How you can smell the aroma?

 

Do you know how you anticipate seeing a friend you haven’t seen for a while?

Basking in their company and catching up?

 

Do you know how you anticipate entering your warm house

When you have been walking outside in a cold winter night?

 

Do you know how you look forward to sleeping in your comfortable bed at the end of a long day?

When you can’t keep your eyes open any longer?

 

That’s how I feel when I haven’t written for a few days

When I know I’ll soon have a chance to put to paper again

 

My thirst will be quenched

My hunger satisfied

My fatigue will disappear 

And joy will take their place

That’s what writing has come to mean to me

 

February 21st, 2020