I Kneel in the Grass…

 joy does not come from without—

that is, from people, even very dear people, it comes from within

one does not loose sight of the sparkle 

in another’s eyes,

one can discern 

what is felt 

when I walk through a blooming meadow

I can feel a joy bubbling up

a feeling of belonging right there 

in the midst of the beauty of that field

I kneel in the grass 

stretch out in it and look up into the blue of the sky

reaching beyond my vision higher and higher

or standing by a brook gurgling 

along with its crystal clear water— there, too, 

feel the joy swelling in me

little fish are swimming by

looking sideways up at me as if to say, 

why is she here?

all because of joy—

for joy made me step into a shady cool forest

where just a few rays of sunlight through the trees 

make the stillness delightful

a deep well is springing up 

without ever loosing its power to flow outward

joy is the nectar of love 

be it a blade of grass 

or a singing bird in the bright blue sky…

“walk as if 

you are kissing the grass

with your feet”

To Someone Far, Far-away…

Sweet friend, allow me to say, 

Share, share, share your muse and

Your precious thoughts, because

We do not live for ourselves alone:

Everything you say with that

Characteristic integrity and humility

Through words thus naturally flows,

Touches my heart like the

Spring-tide of the season and

Its gentle rain that has merged

With the warmth of the sunlight . . .

I know, as it's coming from you

It’s all so true from the perspective 

Of you, more than you would

Like to assume or show.

Our hearts see that which is 

Invisible to the naked eye, and

WHY? Because hearts speak

And need no reasons

To echo the truth 

Of what so splendidly unites!

BUT WHAT IF…

Dear Friend,

You are no part of a contemporary scene,

but warm and gentle, loving, poised

with thoughts bright, reserved, dignified

in mannerism and in style:

ah, the pure stream has found

its path in the timeless qualities 

of joy, wisdom, vitality, love 

and strength of mind!

Ask, what has “time” to do with beauty?

Is not Beauty a transparency found

alone in the splendor of Soul

and goes forth expressed in words,

and deeds, as a nobility

undefined,  … and unbound?

... I’m musing over paradoxes:

Of the notions of youth! How aged

some appear as if standing

before a scaffold, because 

the thought is sadly scorched:

it fears “old” and thus feels old.

Now, tell me, “What is this -- about?”

I’m pondering the bold design of God!

Could His blueprint be useless,

unfit to glow, unable within to grow?

Thought is creative!

What if a mind convinced

of dark clouds hovering over

would make a belief come true?

... Did not Job say:

“The thing which I greatly feared

is come upon me?“

Buoyancy, freshness, fullness of life,

those divine graces which lift

the banner of agelessness high

conquer self-destructive emotions,

and thus …a life made brighter and lighter,

a love instilled for every youthful grace

where we find a greater delight within

than counting every dark fear’s mace!

And earthly dreams broken: Justify

the love of Jesus for the Christ,

and the price he paid for our victories open …