I keep blurry pictures. They remind me life is not always in sharp focus and there are times to step back, pause, and reflect.
The spirit wearies
A voice from within speaks
Seeks reflective time.
Quietly turn inward
Listen to an inner voice
Seek counsel and wisdom.
Pay homage and celebrate
While pain reveals character
New paths carved into wilderness.
Cherish each moment’s gift
Arrival and departure
Grateful for life.
Kathy and I are back on the road this morning. It will be Monday before I post again. I disconnect to reconnect. I feel on the edge at this time of the week and summer. I go back to work next Wednesday and, for the first time in my career, I am not looking forward to going back. I am on the edge and find faith in something other than me.
Each step
Brings me to the edge.
Uncertain balance
On the edge.
Instability dances with stability
Harsh with the gentle.
Quiet the self
Hear the soul’s gentle words.
A still space reveals wisdom
A spirit of Faith.
Look forward;
Look down.
Go forward
Accept hands proffered in similar Faith.
I am off for my Sabbath and perhaps an extra day. Kathy and I are going to British Columbia via Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park. I suspect there will be some pictures forthcoming. My mother celebrates her 88th birthday and it is an important event each year. She is the last of her generation in our family.
Fireweed is a common plant which grows in temperate areas of North America. It is hardy and is often planted in areas which are disturbed i.e. fire or oil spills. I am using it to carry me into my Sabbath and help heal the spirit.
It’s common enough
Beside paths I traverse
Lights the path homeward.
I am unsure whether I will be back today. We are sorting out our home Internet issues. We think the router blew up in a recent storm. This was good, because it was an unplanned daily Sabbath for me.
On a routine morning drive, I observed the sun rising in my rear view mirror with the moon still visible. It was early in the school year and I had just returned from BC. I began that morning’s haiku class with poems which described phenomena I took for granted most days. I try to emphasize for students poetry is the routinely observed. Poetry lifts it to the extraordinary nature of things often taken for granted. I try model this through poetry chosen and shared i.e. Pablo Neruda and Mary Oliver and I write poetry on what I observe in life.
Majestically,
Touching endless sky above
Roots firmly grounded.
Greeting and adieu
Sun and moon share the one sky
Guide our daily drive.
Several months ago, Francesca at Words/Love provided advice for aspiring writers. She advised other writers to keep pen and paper close at hand. More and more, I do this. This morning, about 6:00, I woke up with poetry on my mind. I scrambled, grabbed writing gear, and jotted ideas down. I hope I can flesh the ideas out over the next few days.
It is during unexpected times or quiet moments I find creativity. Kathy surreptitiously took this picture at Kootenai Lake in Glacier National Park. I was feverishly scribbling ideas that had popped up during the hike. It was easy in those surroundings. I hope to continue now that we are home.
Pensive pirate pauses
Revitalize one’s spirit
Serenity sought.
I will see you on Monday; oki until then.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 