Stone Silence

Months of planning and saving,

And a few thousand miles,

Bringing me here to this very moment,

At a well known sacred site.

Here to this seat of stone,

To look upon the crumbling walls,

Pondering ancient words of wisdom,

Perhaps to experience the sublime.

Quiet pervades as the temperature soars,

Incessant insects drone and interfere,

Eyes wander, sweat drips, skin itches,

As mind desperately seeks an escape.

To go where?

A return to the security of home,

To plan and save all over again,

To note another defeat?

Body stretches and feels deep currents,

Mind notices and curiously follows,

Waves arise as the scene falls away.

A soft gaze widens the view.

Breath deepens and mind settles,

The view shifts and expands beyond,

Mind surrenders to the natural rhythm,

The sacred site finally reveals itself.

This Day

This day once was a dream -
     Turned ‘round, by mind, like a fine jewel.
      Filled with hopes, plans and fears.
      A newformed clay brick, set out in the sun.   

This day becomes today -
       Lived, in mind & body, with presence or without.
       Challenged every moment, to be or to be not.
       A self-made shelter, ‘neath the sun and sky.

This day will be a memory -
      Storied, through mind, both false and true.
      Conveniently remembered or forgotten.
      An old brick weathering in the wind.