Irene

Shadows relate choreography on the window shade as trees dance in the wind
I'm reminded of the muppets when I was five
on a black screen long dancing yellow and orange creatures sang
they were just part of the show but despite knowing they were good
(and I should not be scared)
something in the shape of it
something in their long rope thin bodies
something in their movement foretold
of a reason to worry

Iowa Waters

There were floods the summer I went to Iowa
though the worst was over, the street lakes had not receded
but there was a path not yet chosen to the University
a detour sign here and there and
I had arrived
at the admission office

I was sat down and I heard, but could not listen
details of the creative writing program said to be the best
this next path was not marked
I just saw a road I could have gone down:

a downward grade to the river's water
waves danced in the lanes -- almost tidal
it seemed obviously not the way to go
but I thought: how I love the water

maybe I needed to learn to swim
or maybe they told me to wait
the waters will recede in time
but I knew then with certainty
I had no fear of drowning.


11 nov 2009
21 aug 2011

email enhancement

It'd be useful if you could flag emails with a setting for how soon you want a response, like 1 day, 1 week, or 1 month. People would be less likely to be abuse the "important" flag and it would give people an instant gauge on whether they need to read the email now or later.

The Last Sabbath

The day the entire world observed the Sabbath was like a normal day. For years it had been known that the time was at hand. Everyone was of the same faith and on some level we all knew the truth of it. Many organized events were held but there was always an obstinate teen, an emergency, or a bitter mourner who pushed the time off for another day. And truly what a small thing it was weighed against the full history of humanity. What was one more week weighed against the centuries?

But on the day that time ended there was no organized event -- it lacked pomp and circumstance -- any more than is typical in the observance. We had no special plans, no motive in the day other than rest, reflection, and reverence. As night fell so too did time and history.

And the peace that befell us was in our hearts and we slowly realized without any fear or surprise that this was the moment. We saw that peace was born into us when we were born into the world and when we let go of the world and held to that, the world slipped away like smoke.

architecture

There are the corners of the cornice
(the buildings ornamental edge)
reaching up and bending
to hold the sky up

There's the fermented wheat of rye in the glass
Chemistry in a cup, spirits to bend my spirits

There's me, there's you, and the smile when I say so
and despite the noise, a melody comes through

And I wish I could stand like the building
but I know I would crumble for my heart

I am responsible
for what I've said I would do
what I've not
pictures taken
cornice creation
on the fringe
to hold up the sky

cycles

Thus when the moon circles you, you shall call it a month
and when you circle the sun, you shall call it a year
Night will cycle often, but around light it is rare
this you shall remember:
you will see much little-evil in the short cycle
and you shall see some little-good
but the great-good is a grand cycle
You will not have perspective
until the circumference is known.

Dragonfly Wings

The dragonfly's wings
are like feathers of ink
bleeding across the paper.
The body a single stroke
ending in a drop.
But most amazing is this:
flight is possible
on wings so delicate

in the medium

The pigeons swirl
They are summer's autumn leaves
rising and falling in arcs
They bank to a building
grab little footholds
then fly off singing
where to? where to?
each following more than leading
Their rise and fall is a marvel
a stream on the tide
that unknowingly we walk through every day

Reptiles in the Mind

This is the short line that grows.
Remember when you met her? Good. Such memories we call nostalgic because with time we can polish them like brass handrails. What was once corroded green, shimmers in bright flame. With time it is always so. The truth is in the instruction not the execution. The truth is in the verb, the action, the movement. How can the evasive live in stasis? Trust that which does not lie still. Push pen across paper until truth will out on it.

Rabbi Pinchas

Here are my two favorite quotes attributed to Rabbi Pinchas:

If someone finds it necessary to honor me, that means he is more humble than I. Which means he is better than and saintlier than I. Which means that I should honor him. But then, why is he honoring me?

Please, Please, never raise your voice at a human being; a human being is precious, so precious