A Blogger’s Diary 5/23/21: On the Week, Writing and Reflecting, Hiking, and Beauty

This Week

This week was full of preparation for the next fiscal year; and, continuing to reflect upon all of the beauty that surrounds us – really, both are equally true of this past week.

Before I write more about the latter, let’s take a look at the writing that occurred this week.

Writing and Reflecting

Photo by Kazi Mizan on Unsplash

The poem Beyond Time was a reflection on the internal work I’ve been engaged in these past four years. Continuing to be present to my emotions as they arise, and then following those back to the experiential seed.

The poem is also a reflection upon stillness of mind, which can and does occur, and the fact that, in those moments there is no time; it simply does not exist. Beautiful.

Writing the poem Atop, which was inspired by the WDYS #82 prompt, from Keep it Alive, by Sadje, was an interesting process. Initially, I had one idea, even wrote two stanzas, and then as I contemplated the two stanzas, another insight occurred, which is the poem in its present state.

Simply, the world exists in its present condition, when we view it as such. New experiences occur, and the world comes into view. As I’ve written about previously, the view we experience is based upon the concepts we hold about the world; and, this is only one way to view the world. 

As I’ve found out about, and experienced, there are many other ways to view the world, which is, well, quite freeing. 

Hiking

As you all know, I have a new series, Willamette Valley Wanderings and Wonderings, which now has two installments. This week, I hiked Silver Falls State Park, which was absolutely amazing.

I will save the details of the hike for the next installment of the Willamette Valley Wanderings and Wonderings series, however, I just had to include a few more pics in this diary entry.

Beauty

As I walked around campus this week, and contemplated the hike I was going to take on Saturday, I was present to all of the beauty that surrounds us. A flower blooming, a bird calling, a leaf dancing in the wind, a stranger helping another, there are so many things right in front of us, when we pay attention.

Part of my internal work, as you know, also includes my meditation practice, which has been transformational in my life. Being fully present is a gift, and we all have this gift within us.

When we let go of the concepts that typically drive our reactions, pause, reflect and contemplate our life, we learn stillness; and, it is in this stillness where presence to all that is within us, and without us lives. Beautiful.

As you walk through your week, notice the flowers, the trees, the people, and how that makes you feel. It is a tremendous experience.

Alright, that’s all for this week, my friends.

Be well, and have a lovely week.

#beauty, #blog, #blogger, #bloggers-diary, #blogging, #contemplation, #hiking, #introspection, #presence, #silver-falls-state-park, #willamettevalleyhiking, #writingandreflecting

Haiku #26

Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

the sounds of water
cascade through me, quiet and
quite beyond compare

I made it out to Silver Falls State Park today. What an amazing morning. Beautiful. I will share more about the hike in the next installment of Willamette Valley Wanderings and Wonderings, yet just had to share this pic, and the accompanying haiku, which occured to me as I took in all of the beauty today.

#poetry, #beauty, #haiku, #hiking, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #water, #waterfalls

Caress

Photo by Maheima Kapur on Unsplash

Transfigured
and transformed
like a star
that’s met its last
act of resistance,
and takes the
final curtain call.

We
move through the world
with hopes and desires,
fed by the
gravity of tomorrow.

Pulled into it,
we dance alongside
the wheel of time,
as it turns, and
witness a mirage
and a beauty,
which is one of a kind.

A simple caress
from the morrow,
beckons us
with a will borrowed
and called
forth upon its own sorrow.

And, then?

At destinies chance,
we glance back
and thank
the helping hand
guiding us,
just like all the rest.

#poetry, #beauty, #connection, #destiny, #humanity, #life, #love, #poem, #poems

Haiku #21

Photo by Nicolas Lysandrou on Unsplash

sky painted colors
of nature, they mix, mingle,
and dance together

#poetry, #beauty, #haiku, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #sunset

Harmony

You, me,
these three,
and all that’s in the sea,
the air, and the land, both
underneath, and all that’s seen.

Connected through unseen
in-betweens,
spread out like a
maze of infinitely translucent
fibers of being, oh, so fearlessly.

And, yes, we may call This
harmony, if you please.

In response to Friday Fun – harmony from aroused, by CalmKate.

#poetry, #beauty, #fridayfun, #harmony, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems

Elfje #6

Photo by Mike Castro Demaria on Unsplash

Pink
The flower
Speaks to me
Words unexchanged in silence
Beauty

#poetry, #beauty, #elfje, #flower, #life, #love, #nature, #pink, #poem, #poems, #silence

Haiku #18

Photo by Joel Naren on Unsplash

water tepid, and
luxurious in color,
as fragrance abounds.

#poetry, #beauty, #haiku, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #water

Dream

Image credit; Sonny Mauricio

Looking down upon the ground,
Wondering what they see and think,
as they look up, astounded and always
Somewhat confounded, yet too also grounded.

What do you see, when you look at me?

Regalness on the branch, an image of
Perfection at life’s perception. Varied and diverse,
Reminiscent of a multiverse.

Lands distant in geography make up through
A shared heart topography. A deep connection, which
Dissolves the space between, in one earthly scene.

What do you see, when you look up at me?

A mirror of humanity, in eyes so clear and golden,
We all feel quite beholden. The proximity to this
Majesty, makes me tremble in awe of reality.

A metaphor for what’s come before, as presence is
All I really see within me. You, me, and that tree,
Are three, whirling through space and time.

Oh, what a lovely dream.

In response to the WDYS #73 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #beauty, #connection, #dream, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #presence, #reality, #wdys73

Roar

Image credit; Jayson Hinrichsen @ Unsplash

They look into my eyes,
And I wonder why, or why they even try.

They think their stare a dread,
Yet it’s more often just a shred. A glimpse
Into their being, having nothing whatsoever
To do with my leaving.

I am not the names and forms
You associate with me in your head.

Furthermore, it’s mine to lay claim
To all that I am, when I’d like,
so don’t be such a bore.

And?

I Am Woman, here me roar.

In response to the WDYS #72 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

This short poem had a four-fold inspiration; one, the image prompt from Keep it Alive; two, the movie I Am Woman, which I’m watching on Netflix; three, my courageously strong and beautiful sisters, mother, and ex-wife; and four, all of the myriad of women that have coached and mentored me throughout my life, of which, there have been many.

#poetry, #beauty, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #power, #resilience, #roar, #strength, #woman, #women

Brilliance

Image credit; Sanin Sn @ Unsplash

A grand palace, one that goes on, at times
Without notice, sitting in the weather, not a care
Near, nor a plethora of wear, tear, or despair.

As the sun rises, off in the distance,
It casts a glow of such brilliance, making
The grand even more persistent, while
Simultaneously, reminding us all of our shared resilience.

Such displays need no homage or fanfare,
Though, for sure, the latter is not rare,
As people from around the world come to
Share in the brilliance that is there.

In response to the WDYS #71 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #beauty, #brilliance, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #taj-mahal, #wdys71