Tag Archives: Poems

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 4, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , Poems, sensibility, , , ,   

Witness

Photo by 🇻🇪 Jose G. Ortega Castro 🇲🇽 on Unsplash

Journey with me, if you will, a trip
down an unknown street, and into an
unknown land filled with mystery and confusion,
it is a gift of life’s perfusion.

In one hand we can hold, if we are so bold,
this conundrum. A hidden balance, scales
moving back and forth in a dance that requires
special attention to see it’s worn out portension.

It’s like that often, and yet, most can only
hold the one view, a blow to soften.

The myriad of challenges and disappointments
that are part of the movement, seen and unseen,
just like in a dream. How do we then find our preen?

Practice makes the dance more noticeable
to the senses, yes, and also to the part of ourselves
that creates balance between
sensibility and our inner tranquility.

There is much that can be learned from within,
if we learn to quiet our mind, and sit in stillness,
thus becoming a silent witness.

#poetry, #balance, #connection, #contemplation, #introspection, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #sensibility, #silence, #stillness, #tranquility, #witness

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on April 4, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , , martin luther king jr, , , Poems, , , , , , ,   

A Blogger’s Diary 4/4/21: On Writing, Reflecting, Travel, and Connection

This past week, I’ve been reflecting upon connection. How we are all connected to each other, yes, and to everything else we see. All of it. Quite beautiful. 

Before I write more about connection, let’s take a look at a couple reflections from this past week, and a few ideas I have for next week. Sound good? Okay, here we go.

Writing

Photo by Quinton Coetzee on Unsplash

This past week, I’ve continued to write quite a bit of poetry. It just happens like that sometimes; and, of late, there’s been much more poetry within me. Fun.

Tanka #9

The Tanka #9 poem, occurred to me one day after meditation. Well, in fact, the concepts found in the poem occur to me all the time these days. That is, existence, and the connection we all have to each other and all that surrounds us. 

We have the idea that we are separate, due to socialization and the creation of the ego-self. The separateness we feel, however, is illusory. Not real. Reality lives behind and beyond the concepts we hold of ourselves and all that we see. Beautiful.

Heed

The poem Heed, is a reflection, in part, on my sensitivity; which I’ve written about before, in the post, The Paradox and Gift of Being A Highly Sensitive Person: Clear and Strong, Not Hurt and Damaged.

I didn’t understand my own sensitivity for most of my life. In fact, my sensitivity was something I ran from in many ways. When you are a highly sensitive person and unaware, the world feels more frightening and incomprehensible. The paradox?

When you are a highly sensitive person and aware, the world feels more, well, like you, beautiful, strong, and very comprehensible. Being a highly sensitive person is a true gift.

Travel

Photo by Kayle Kaupanger on Unsplash

Well, in my diary entry last week, I wrote about being on the waitlist for the vaccine; and, I now have an appointment next Friday, which means I will be fully vaccinated by early May.

Now, as many of you know, my whole family lives in Los Angeles, California, where I lived the majority of my life; and, I have a niece graduating from high school this year. The question? Yep, you guessed it; do I travel? Not sure? Me either.

Instead of thinking about the choice, I looked at flights, and found that the quarantine policy for traveling into LA County is still in place, which means that when you are traveling into the County from out of state you must quarantine for 10 days. 

I could not find a single resource on the flight booking site, nor on the CDC website about traveling once fully vaccinated. So? I called the LA County Public Health Department. The person that answered the phone was super nice, and, to my question, replied, that’s a good question. They didn’t know the answer either. 

The LA County employee that helped me is going to do some research and call me back. Thus, my choice on traveling to LA remains, for now, on hold.

Connection

Photo by Vivaan Trivedii on Unsplash

This past week, we had our remote Spring Instructor Forum. These forum’s are a chance for our Community Education Instructors to get to see each other, and to interact with us. In the Community Education program we have over 200 instructors, and they live all over the area, so this is one way we stay connected.

As I prepared my small talk with the Instructors, I pondered this past year, the current year, and the upcoming year. And? What occurred to me was that, yes, so much has changed this past year, and more changes will come.

Yet, one thing that will not change is the connection we have with each other, which is why I am calling next fiscal year (2021/22), The Year of Continued Connection.

There will always be change, and, in many ways, change is wonderful. Terribly hard at times, yes, and also beautiful. 


Though we have no idea what the rest of this year will bring, we know that our relationships are strong, and that they will endure through whatever change comes our way. We have proven this this past year.

I’ve written many posts about relationships and connection. I always say, there’s nothing more important than the relationship we have with ourselves, and with those people we surround ourselves with. 

Everything starts with us. And, when you have a quality connection with yourself, you will have quality connections with others. 

I’ll leave you this week, with two quotes I shared with the Community Education Instructors this past week, as I think they speak very well to the value of connection.

“I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be… This is the interrelated structure of reality.” Martin Luther King Jr

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” Brené Brown

habits for well being

Alright, that’s all for now.

Have a beautiful coming week.

#poetry, #blogger, #bloggers-diary, #blogging, #brene-brown, #connection, #covid-19, #diary, #life, #martin-luther-king-jr, #pandemic, #poem, #poems, #reality, #reflecting, #relationships, #self-awareness, #travel, #vaccination, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 2, 2021
Tags: , , , heed, , , , , Poems, , stormyweather   

Heed

Photo by Forrest Moreland on Unsplash

At times I am filled with such deep
Emotion, it’s like my body has stopped
Working and the commotion running through
Me isn’t being sifted, instead I’m being through the
Heavens lifted.

An entirely different plane fills me, and I wonder
What it all means. Just for a second though,
as the tide turns, and the emotion that’s run through me
Is turning the corner, looking for more stormy weather
Out at sea.

The clouds open up, the lightning flashes, and
The thunder rumbles, and the depths pull at me
With such vigor, I become perplexed, and do not
Dither.

Instead I move with the dance, allowing it to cast
Me as is willed. Knowing that the play’s still playing,
And the last act’s not retiring, nay, still moving onto
Another scene, and I start praying.

Softly, silently, asking for guidance, knowing that
It’s always been there, and will forevermore be clear.
Even on stormy days, when the weather continues
On it’s own way, and we continue to play, and, to not
Be led astray.

Be all that you may, my dear, and let life fill you
As needed. It’s all we can do at times, just be, and let
Your soul heed it.

#poetry, #contemplation, #emotions, #heed, #introspection, #life, #love, #nature, #poems, #reflection, #stormyweather

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on April 1, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , Poems, rdp, , unexpected   

Stability

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What lives inside the expected,
Is a river of gold so long for the road,
People often mistake it for their own abode.

When we think we know, we wander into
The scene with a predisposition toward
Contriteness, and not so much politeness.

We get stuck inside our own heads, leaving
Our heart in another’s hands. Walking away from
Heart is sure to give you a start, and a prodding
So don’t be beguiled, nay, keep trotting.

Movement is key, even when we are not
In the scene. We set our course with intention
Of course, and then let loose the heart we’ve been
Waiting for, which is our Source.

Times at an end, my friend, unleash all that is inside
You. Be not afraid of the things lurking in the dark,
For they’re not going to persuade you from your mark.

Even if for a time they chance a succession of events
That causes your mind to spin, be sure to let go
And untether your grin.

And, be at peace with the unexpected. Around every
Twist and turn know there’s a chance for more
Connected pieces. We pick them up as we go, don’t wait
Just recalibrate, and walk into the scene with a fresh
Sense of humility.

For it’s inside of the unexpected, where we can
find tranquility and our own sense
of pliability and stability.

In response to the Saturday RDP Unexpected, by Punam.

#poetry, #heart, #humility, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #rdp, #stability, #unexpected

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on March 30, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , Poems, , , , , vastness, wdys#75   

Unseen

Image credit; Jasmin Chew @ Unsplash

As I close my eyes to the sky,
and breathe in deep, it occurs to me
that time as we understand it has stopped
belaboring me, while the vastness before me
unfolds and expands with a specialness that will
withstand all contrivances that the mind has planned.

Disrupting the pattern created over millennia,
I watch silently, as the breath moves in and out of
my body, and my heart slows down, to match the
hidden, and ever so mysterious criteria.

Listen and believe in the unseen, for even when
in doubt you can be sure that there is clout and
integrity in the system of stars and constellations that
remains, at times, hidden, yet always smitten.

And at others, it’s all we can do to catch a glimpse
of that magical consideration, and watch
as the dance of the cosmos plays out,
and all our dreams come about.

Believe, I say, in the unseen, and dream big right
into that emptiness, knowing all the while that
that vastness is where all of life’s
greatest gifts are awaiting your
focused attention, and future
dissemination.

In response to the WDYS #75 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #contemplation, #cosmos, #introspection, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #prayer, #silence, #universe, #unseen, #vastness, #wdys75

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 8:00 am on March 28, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , covid-19.vaccination, , , , , , , , Poems, , ,   

A Blogger’s Diary 3/28/21: On Writing, Reflecting, Vaccinations, and Emotions

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

This past week, I’ve been reflecting upon my emotions, as you might have noticed and/or read about in some of my poems. As we continue to move forward with vaccinations, it occurs to me that there will be emotions about the pandemic that will arise for all of us. Some we will see coming, some we will not.

Before we discuss this topic more, let’s take a look at the writing that occured this week, and the writing slated for next week.

Writing

This past week, I found myself drawn more to poetry. In fact, in the past two weeks, I’ve written about 10 new poems. All of which, I will share in the coming weeks. I’ve been feeling moved this week by several concepts, which did make their way into the following pieces.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-1.jpg
Image credit; Eric Muhr @ Unsplash

Keeps

The poem Keeps was initially inspired by the WDYS #74 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje. The prompt this week reminded me of my hikes in the local area in which I live. Hikes where I am present to only my footing, the scenery, such as the earth, the foliage, the beautiful sky, and any wildlife that comes by. Beautiful.

As thoughts enter my mind, I let them pass through, and remain in that moment, just walking along the trail being one with the Nature that surrounds me.

It is quite meditative to walk, practice your breathing, and just listen and watch. There is healing in each foot step, each breath, and in each moment. If you’ve not tried meditative walking/hiking, I suggest giving it a try.

Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash

Elixir

The poem Elixir was an acknowledgement to the present moment and the illusion of time. I’ve written several times about the social construction of time, and when you really understand that time, in fact, is illusory, you are freed from self-imposed limits bound in time.

We all live outside of time, yet also live in it, as we choose. A paradox, and not.

Next Week

As I mentioned previously, I’ve created a bunch of new poems, and am excited to get them scheduled. I feel more poetry coming, so will continue to write and reflect on new concepts and insights as they come.

I am also continuing to work on a post on silence. I had an insight this week about a post on communication, and will probably start that sometime in the next week or two.

Alas, I’ve not made much progress on the Leadership from Within series. Though I’ve not made much progress yet, I will continue to endeavor to write this series. I see it as a possible book in the future, and have a lot of thinking and feeling about the topic to share.

Photo by Mat Napo on Unsplash

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are opening up more here locally. In fact, I am pleased to report that I am on an official waitlist for my first dose. I was told I should get a call in the next week or two.

Though I am pleased about this progress, both as a State and a Country, I realize that there is much work to do across this country and the world to ensure that everyone that wants a vaccination has access.

I will not pretend to know the answers to this issue. I will say, however, that I look forward to a day when those in legislative positions and positions of power in this country and around the globe think more collectively and collaboratively about serving the common good, which includes all of humanity. Everyone, everywhere.

Photo by Diana H on Unsplash

Emotions

With anticipation and excitement also comes apprehension, fear, and indifference. It’s just how it works. Which means that whereas some people will feel the former, some will feel the latter, and many of us will feel both.

When I was told that I would be put on a waiting list for my first dose of the vaccine, I was excited and anxious. Excited about the movement, and anxious about the unknown.

It is important for me to stay grounded in the current reality, which, yes, includes the vaccination being distributed to more and more people across the State. The current reality also includes, however, the fact that some people will not want to get the vaccine and some will not have access to the vaccine due to systematic inequalities in this country and around the world.

The latter of which fills me with sadness.

It also occurs to me that the landscape of how the pandemic, and respective responses to it from a systems and organizational perspective, are still completely unknown. Which simply means taking things as they come, developing plans and iterating those plans as needed, to ensure we continue to serve as many people as possible with educational options that fit their needs. Important.

The invitation I will send out to the team this week will be to recognize the emotions as they come for what they are. Responses to stimuli in your environment, and in your mind. Meaning, emotions are something we get and feel, they are not who we are.

Emotions, like our thoughts, do not define us. We choose.

Alright, that’s all for this week.

Have a wonderful week and please stay healthy and well.

#poetry, #blogger, #bloggers-diary, #blogging, #communication, #contemplation, #covid-19-vaccination, #diary, #emotionalintelligence, #emotions, #leadership, #meditation, #pandemic, #poem, #poems, #reflections, #silence, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on March 27, 2021
Tags: , , consider, , , , , , , Poems, , ,   

Consider

Photo by Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash and Photo by Aliata Karbaschi on Unsplash and Photo by Birger Strahl on Unsplash and Photo by Nikhita Singhal on Unsplash

As I walk, I always wonder.

Wonder about the path underfoot,
gravely in spots, wet and muddy like another,
and semi-solid in some others.

Ponder the present, all that I see,
yes, beneath me, and also out in front in that lea.
Tall grass swaying in the wind, brushing each other,
like kith and kin, a dance of the neighborly ties that bring
us together in every kind of weather.

Fascinated by all that I hear, off in the distance,
and more close with such persistence. Overwhelming
at times, just like a nursery rhyme read aloud to the young.
All grown up now, lost in the brilliance of each moment
together under the sun.

Astonished by all that I feel, a gentle breeze, cold
and prickly on the skin, rustling goose bumps from
their slumber, as I along lumber.

Amazed at all that I smell, that flower off yonder,
and the fresh fragrance of the tiled blue mosaic,
encapsulating the essence of herbs and spices,
as I continue to wander.

Senses are interesting to figure,
as they continue to flitter.
All of the above bring joy to my being,
filling me with a knowing of all
that’s bigger.

A moment and an eternity,
all wrapped up in one precious instant, so
when you’re next out and about,
please don’t forget to consider.

#poetry, #brilliance, #consider, #fascination, #humanity, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #reality, #senses, #time

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on March 26, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , Poems,   

Heal

Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash

The piano plays, just like a display,
And, yes, sometimes, I do feel flayed,
And swayed by my emotional state.

Coming in waves at times, overwhelmed
And feeling lost in translation, or, rather,
Maybe it’s best in preparation for the next
Round, say, did you call?

Or, was that just a whisper of something
I thought I caught on a second chance,
No need for romance, it’s all as it should be
In this dance. We’ve moved on from the choreography,
And are now simply living in full blown practicality.

Just as it is. See. Simple. And, not. Oh, what
A paradox, and yet, it’s not even that, my friend. It’s simply
This, this moment here with you, typing what comes, and becoming
What’s, from the start, always been the end plot.

I could be remiss, second-guessing
all that I’ve missed, and guess what,
that’s also been done and sealed with a kiss.

Of love forevermore, for the losses and also
For the light that blossoms in my heart, as time
Passes, and aging happens.

Be still when you have a moment, reflect
And heal those wounds deep in your soul,
For the love you feel will bloom even more.

#poetry, #contemplation, #healing, #introspection, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #poems, #reflection

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on March 25, 2021
Tags: , , , , , Poems, , ,   

Elixir

Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash and Photo by Zdeněk Macháček on Unsplash

breathe in deep, knowing
the beautiful fragrance of
the flowers elixir lives
in the eternity of

this moment. I weep in
the ecstasy of this presence
and understanding,
as the concept of time passes
right by.

#poetry, #flower, #illusion, #nature, #poem, #poems, #presence, #reality, #time

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on March 23, 2021
Tags: , , , , , keeps, , , Poems, , wdys#74   

Keeps

Image credit; Eric Muhr @ Unsplash

The trail winds to the left, and, yes
Sometimes I do feel bereft, yet not usually
When I’m in this scene, which is just like a dream.

Something from the fiction books, beautiful and deeply
Colored earth underfoot, stunning shrubbery and foliage
Descending and ascending on either side, reminding me
Of such kinder times. Trees as tall as the sky, looking up, feeling
Dizzy, and completely in love with this misty morning.

A deep grin catches my eye, as I continue to fly
Along the trail, listening to only my heart beat,
and the sounds of the forest underneath.

Being present, I let the thoughts drop back,
One foot in front of the other, breathe in deep,
and remember we are all in this play for keeps.

In response to the WDYS #74 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #contemplation, #forest, #hiking, #introspection, #keeps, #nature, #poem, #poems, #trails, #wdys74