World Beyond

Swallows

Before winter comes
slate gray swallows bask happy
under warm blue sky

Big Mind

Universal mind
connects us all  --  flowing stream
calm your mind and heart
feel power and connection
understanding reality

A Tanka from the Rodina

Northern latitudes

blue sky, sun’s soft golden light

brings tranquility

wind rustles green leaves and grass

whispering future's promise

Morning Meditation

Meditation walk
Quiet mind, calm heart and soul
Cool pale clear blue sky
All nature more beautiful
Hearts connect through universe

Hisashi Buri Ni Haiku

Cool, damp mountain air
Moist with possibilities
Penetrates my soul

Fragile World

The world is fragile
Lives shattered by violence
Pain is vehicle
Suffering can educate
Open your heart to learning

Kazakhstan Departure Poems

Emerald mountains
Surrounded by a sea of grass
Spring renews beauty

Universe is kind
Stars at night and moon so bright
Take me back to her

Blue vault covers earth
Blanket of beauty and life
Symbolizing hope
Unseen field connects us all
Like blue sky -- slow down - tune in

Haiku X Two

Universe in tune
Connects to my open heart
Warmth, light, wisdom, truth?

Scrutinize motives
If examined heart is pure
Proceed carefully

Let it Go

Let it all go now
Pain produced by monkey mind
Presence, awareness
Past and future melt away
Two simple words cure all ills

Japanese Tanka

He whose heart and soul
are at one with the great Void
steps into the mist
and suddenly thinks himself
stepping right out of this world.
--Saigyo

These words (in Japanese) were written more than 800 years ago.  Aren't they just as beautiful, just as meaningful today?  I heartily recommend a small book, easy to travel with, titled "Only Companion: Japanese Poems of Love and Longing".  I've read it through several times on this trip, and it only gets better.  Maybe it's because I'm far from loved ones and home, or maybe it's because I've spent several years living in Japan, but this poetry and the poetry format really speak to me.  I hope they do to you as well.