Reluctance to leave the envelope of bed, reluctance. But the whirring and humming, revving of the mind (faithful engine, reliable horse) harasses the body into obedience, and for good reason. There is wood to cut, snow to shovel, ice to melt, water to boil, pots to be washed, plans to be drawn, ragged roads toContinue reading “This Winter Morning”
Tag Archives: Beauty
Fellow Travelers
There is more than one world. Turn your attention now, away from the one that is always trying to sell you something, for time is short and you have work to do. Befriend yourself, settle into a homecoming, apprentice yourself to the dear friend of your own curiosity, to a sense of belonging, a familiarityContinue reading “Fellow Travelers”
Tread Lightly
You’ve been searching a long time now. Somewhere along the way, you pause. You begin to notice the intricacies of every texture, the textures of every intricacy. All the magic you overlooked becomes discernible. How could you have missed it? It is at once ordinary and extraordinary, astonishing and unremarkable, poetic and prosaic. Seeing this,Continue reading “Tread Lightly”
These Particular Blues
It was one of those days when the movie of your life should have won an Academy award for best screenplay. The twists and turns knocked everyone out, the plot was as tight as high-end waterproof luggage, and the soundtrack matched how everyone felt that year with uncanny accuracy. All you know is it’s oneContinue reading “These Particular Blues”
Dear Diary
You must not complain about dust. Dust becomes cloud becomes rain becomes forest becomes life, so you must not complain about dust as you wipe it from a table, books, shelves. May there be an empty space in the palm of my hand, where every night some means to an end used to be. NotContinue reading “Dear Diary”
Pilgrimage
All day long, I see things a painter would paint. What is there to complain about? Even my own pain has been endured by thousands before me, and depicted by master sculptors. Pilgrimage, penance, failure, learning to hold one’s self tenderly, in friendship – all these have relevance to my experience of life. Honoring theContinue reading “Pilgrimage”
Basho’s Traveling Companion
On the jade-colored plate, yellow fruit. Between the window and folding screen, a bed, some clothing. In the stillness of the forest, water flowing. On the mountainside, plum blossoms. In the rain and mud, wild horses. From a bowl in the hermit’s shelter, steam rising. In the iron stove, embers glowing. At the edge ofContinue reading “Basho’s Traveling Companion”
Humble Warrior
For many long years, sleep did not come. Now it is here, a sanctuary, an unremembered temple of well-fed lions. Summer comes, undeniable as the needs of body and soul. We peel away her nightdress, and when she goes we go with her. There will still be times we do not feel supported by theContinue reading “Humble Warrior”
Dreamdust
A dream of bamboo groves and flickering candles. A dream of sitting in meditation, of the alchemy of bees bringing about the reality of honey. A dream of desire, awake and alive, of a sanctuary of sleep like a temple of wed-fed lions, of a heart containing both fire and calm understanding. A dream ofContinue reading “Dreamdust”
Just Know
Just know that you are the master of the singing bowl, the viscous ripples in the air, the temple in the clouds and mist. Know you are the heart that leads the way, the swan who dives, the moon in May. Just know you are the artist, the canvas, the muse. Know you are theContinue reading “Just Know”
C.M. Rivers 