today’s Musing written and published from
Morning walk: 13C/55F, patchy sky (thunderstorms coming), a quick sprint ahead of the rain, I have to run to an early meeting . . Gusta missed a near-bunny encounter by inches, her eyes weren’t working and her nose was focused on some strong scent on the ground nearby. It was funny, focused so hard on something desirable yet missing something so obvious.
Much reflection in recent days . . . I’m less confused and more ‘stop, take stock, see things as they really are’, or maybe I’m just hibernating.
Life is long – so very long – years and years, decades upon decades to go, much to do, so many things to plan. I can’t be short-sighted, focusing only on here, now, tomorrow or next week.
Assumptions are stupid, decisions matter far less than reactions – not because decisions aren’t rational, but because they are. Give me life where emotion rules. I may not live long or be rich but I’ll be happy.
‘Look at every path closely and deliberately, then ask ourselves this crucial question: Does this path have a heart? If it does, then the path is good. If it doesn’t, it is of no use.’ – Carlos Castenada
Last night (year’s shortest), thinking about length of day and darkness of night – daylight has nothing to do with feelings we carry in our belly; they don’t react to light and dark but they certainly sense hot or cold; currently running cold for me.
Sometimes an offer is good. Sometimes an offer is worth rejecting, and counter-offers should get us closer to closing a deal - but the old cliché, that sometimes the first offer is the best offer holds true in many things. Acceptance of an offer is not a good thing and rejection of a proposition can sometimes be the best turn of events. In either case, path is altered, plan is changed, past fits a new perspective, lit by the event - the path is lit with a new flame made more of cold light than hot . .
Somewhere, out there, is my path - not straight or well marked; it’s route can only be seen looking back, turns and twists only known in retrospect. Next turn – real turn – may be something I don’t understand until five turns later; in a way, like a chess match of many moves.
Always, it seems, there will be darkness before light arrives - and each night, another dose of dark but no solution to come with it. Wandering, in the dark, without a light in search of a path – will, one day, lead to a dawning moment. I’ve been walking for years without feeling lost – for the most part – but some puddles have just pulled me in . . .
I thought I was on a path I knew - why did you go, away; why did you disappear from view . . . elusive like hazy fog at twilight, where did you go – or were you really here?
~~~
SUMMER HEAT - archived poetry
Hearts
need it,
protection
in so many
forms; one is
hunkering
down – the
hibernation
mode – the
other blossoms
like a flower
when wide grins
on great babes
light the day
and light up
the night
in a glow
that keeps
heat going
all winter
long.
~~~
Mark Kolke
321,580
214.6
RESPONSES/COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME; send to: dailycolumn@markkolke.com
June 21 Comments
June 21 - WITHOUT DISTRACTION – Mark, just wanted you to know I've been emailing some of your poems to my psychotherapy patients who are trying to make significant changes in their lives and it is making a difference in their perception, helping them to try on a different lens. Poetry breaks from normal narrative in our heads, often giving the gift of an 'aha' moment. Thanks for making a ripple in life's pond. I like today's poem and I'm still waiting for the big surprise of a smile wider than mine, SW, Coeur d'Alene, ID
June 21 - WITHOUT DISTRACTION - So enjoyed your poem 'Alert' as well as your column about a lifted spirit. I wish it wasn't so hard to experience that 'levity' as opposed to the more typical 'gravity' but on reading your piece I'm reminded that so much of life is a practice - we can practice levity, as you say, and perhaps it will become second nature eventually, WE, Alford, MA
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