if I hold in my palm the dancing flame
lit from all the kind candles of love
silhouette it against the darkened sky
will you see and take notice
I’ve seen this light shine in your eyes
felt its warmth in the kindness of your smile
caught its flicker to hold in the night
when cold can slip in under the door
and because I too have been alone
been a stranger hungry and ill
I raise this illumination high as I can
for anyone for everyone for all in need
lowering clouds grey as her distant eyes
barren trees crooked as her aged hands
far ridges flinty as her hard smile
but there, there-look
a hidden trail that curves and winds
opens to such expansive view
still not as vast as her loving heart
what I see hear feel
would you understand
not here there anywhere
but everywhere also nowhere
these the same
I do not exist nor do you or you or you
nor does anything but there is
joy light laughter brilliance love
choose the term that draws you in
expands your heart explodes your self
and here you are
vajra posed in the gem in the lotus
dancing on the branches of the jewel tree
horses on the trail
fairy queen over the fountain
wolves in every corner
statuary figure as mystery
better wonders than these
are scattered throughout town
greetings for stranger and resident alike
flashes of kindness that warm in these chill times
friendship and care shining brighter
than even the light in the verdigris trees
making true in this day the signature signs of love
warm silence and receptive space
these translate across lines
everyone wants to be heard
especially those hoarse from shouting
here a table with a couple of chairs
a pot of tea and cups to be filled
please sit, all are welcome
here is comfort . raise it
spoon to your mouth
sweetness like that of wild honey
shell to your ear
whispers of stories you loved as child
flower to your nose
mingled aromas from those you’ve held dear
hand to your heart
warm like love itself (and you are loved)
hold it gently and let it be
forever balm to ease your sorrows
wait before you leave, do not fly when bidden
do you have sharp edges that would cut
we bleed all too freely but unawares
do you have harsh tones that would bruise
we walk already wounded but numb
consult first the heart,therein wisdom and compassion
let these shape and temper whatever message you bear
even to find you stay contained within
letting kind receptive silence go in your stead
not there yet, and yet here
resting, grounded in groundlessness
arising as a playful moment, a brief jewel
sparkling with infinite reflections of all other gems
caught as a node in this boundless web
this rippling expanse of joyous laughter
he did not break in the obvious way
no splintered snap, a branch bent too far
no fissured crack, a stone’s hidden fault
he withdrew himself
a quiet subtle piecemeal going
as if hoping no one would notice
as if he himself did not want to know
holes appeared in the small fabrics of town
that once would have been patched before anyone saw
his kindness and care had been such threads
all the community felt his loss
though they knew not that they mourned
the journey to our farm, the winding path
my father with me at his heels
the green fruit itself, carefully cut into quarters
then sprinkled with a dash of salt
my father explaining that salt cuts sourness
the first bite, I tasted the truth of this
the second brought to mind the wash of the Gulf
the third a hint of the acrid clay that lines the bayous
the fourth the slow bitterness of tears
I swallowed such realization and with a grin
held out my hand for more