Neighborhood party

She said, this is what it’s about. Community. Vote for your community, she said. I said, yeah, totally. It was 44 degrees and raining most of the time and also muddy. Still, people showed up at this neighborhood party that was advertised on sign posts. I walked over with a couple poems in my back… Continue reading Neighborhood party

I am yew

If I were a tree I’d be yew Live in an old churchyard in the British countryside Remembering when my limbs were used  To make bows for arrows   For the battles of the short-lived ones on two legs I’d stand bent over Hiding my poison medicine My toxic healing Stretching out the reaching branches… Continue reading I am yew

Passing through

To make courageous decisions I practice feeling temporary. Pretend life is temporary and eventually none of this will matter. Imagine we are here a very short time and then disappear leaving no trace. I practice doing now what I feel drawn to. I am not going to be remembered. We are all hounded relentlessly by bullshit… Continue reading Passing through

Crow habit

I have a crow habit. I know them: Crow, Crowie, and Croatia. There are more but I can’t remember their names. Some have asked me to paint them as they see themselves. It’s hard to describe but they don’t see themselves like we see them. They can be oversized black squares of energy that talk… Continue reading Crow habit

Questions for a comet

We call you NEOWISE after the telescope that saw you.  What’s your real name, in your native language? I see you frozen in falling every night this week.  A magnificent tiny space splash of light.  I see you blaze a new celestial path, falling with fire, light, slowly at high speed, off the screen of… Continue reading Questions for a comet

Dog bodhisattvas

I’ve seen them wearing coats, wearing sweaters,riding in bike baskets, and shopping carts. Tied up outside stores, on concrete, waiting for their beloved. Dog bodhisattvas are not bogged down in dogma.They are not downward dogs.  Dog bodhisattvas are often harnessed for duty and wearing a badge or service vest, absorbing or deflecting suffering for those… Continue reading Dog bodhisattvas

Developing images in the the darkroom with my dad

My dad taught me how to dodge and burn when developing black & white photographs. I was just now blending liquids, making something in the kitchen when I noticed my hands dodging and burning as if making pictures. I was fascinated watching him use his hands lightly,dancing, improvising. He let me do it by myself, my own hands,… Continue reading Developing images in the the darkroom with my dad

Focus on the breath

Are you breathing? It’s automatic and inherent to aliveness. It’s part of the parasympathetic nervous system. Do you breathe when you’re nervous? Do you follow or lead your breath? Inspire and expire; life passes through you with each respiration. Invisible nutrients are swallowed and released thousands of times a day. Clarity is a passing breeze.… Continue reading Focus on the breath