EPISODE 22 -- The Fabric
The Arhuaco people of northern Colombia gave Tenzin Priyadashi, the author of Running Toward Mystery, the gift of strands of Agave fiber woven together into a bracelet. this represents the web that we are all part of, with mother earth and each other.
Everything on this earth
is a thread in the web
of our shared fabric
like the movement of a butterfly,
each action, each word has an impact
somewhere in this fabric.
Orange and gold streak
across the horizon
birds singing loudly
a single bright planet
the waining moon.
I woke up from my dream,
In Berlin we are having lunch
talking about lives and loves
and opportunities missed.
I lie down on the sofa
the coolness of leather on my back
looking up at the fan
and its nine stationary blades.
Its Saturday morning,
Time for:
Radio conversations with Scott Simon
Some stories are free
of the election politics.
Then its time for Alexa and
the ultimate history quiz.
Then the NY times mini crossword
a team effort to beat our record
of two minutes.
These Covid weekends
seem to relax time,
broken up by meals
enlivened by meditation,
exercise and reflection.
With no desire to eat out
or shop for more things,
a trip to the library
constitutes adventure.
Now, as the pink clouds
stretch across the pond’s reflection
darkness comes quickly
as the song birds flock into the uplands
to roost in palms and pines.
The two great horned owls
somewhere invisible, silent
will soon swoop down
catching that unsuspecting corn snake,
itself searching for food.
With little traffic sound,
the frog choruses will soon be heard,
echoing across the water.
We will sit quietly reading
avoiding the non-news,
repeating what we know already.
We cannot wait for this to be complete,
Elections done,
Covid contained.
Thanksgiving will be special.
Great for some,
As we keep doing our part
to create changes needed
so we can once again
be free of air waves of fiction,
refocus on healing and helping.
May blessings spread:
uplifting words
positive actions
weaving a fabric
of respect, protection and caring.
May we help those in need,
heal our planet,
and move forward united
in goodness together.
SIlence is God’s first language; everything else is poor translation.
Thomas Keating
The Truest Friend
some Friendships are undefinably inconsistent,
as you care about their well being,
as you wonder if he or she will call you,
before you take the first step towards
the moment of reconnection
that quickly makes you forget
it is 6 months since you talked.
The deepest friendship
that stays alive for ever
is silently with your own God,
through challenges and joys
you can depend on this,
provided you remember
to call inside
to your own greatness.
If you ever despair and sink down,
remember you are here for a purpose
you are here to offer something special,
something unique to the fabric of our world.
Don’t cry out in desperation
laugh at your forgetfulness.
Feel your smile expanding
know we are all seeking
and will find our path upward
to play our perfect part.
Maybe that includes reaching out
in silence,
when others hesitate,
sharing your good feelings,
appreciating their presence,
so they know now you care.
When you could go LOW, go HIGH!
No matter where you sit
it is easy to find events and actions
that can make you rant and rave
that you feel are unfair distortions.
For all of us, hold on
hold onto the light
hold on to gratitude and generosity
hold on to all the good things
we know exist despite this turbulence
find the smooth laminar flow
that lifts your spirits
like an eagle soaring.
With good spirit fly with the wind,
high above the turbulence.
©MartinStrasmore2020