As the sun rises
Light drifts across the mountains
Red upon the new snow
Category: Poetry
Poetry became part of my life decades ago. My first memory involving poetry: a creative writing class from seventh grade. Poetry and writing remain crucial parts of my life to this day.
I find my inspiration in the commonplace, in everyday experiences, in current events. My daily meditations grant me a great deal of clarity, which comes in verse.
Currently, I’m focusing short-form poetry. Predominantly I’m writing haiku/senryu with some tanka. For the past few years, I’ve worked to post a haiku daily. Though not perfect, I’ve been able to stick to that schedule pretty well. Some longer forms come to me, too, though mostly in free-verse.
Focus
What is my direction?
I’m pulled so many ways?
Is that bad?
Or does that tension
Make me bigger?
I don’t which is better
For my soul
I am challenged by “focus”. When focused, other things must be ignored. Such a painful thing, to give up on interests. Yet I see that by diluting my focus, passions get sacrificed. I’ve searched for passion, just not very well. I’m pulled this way and that. Unsure which way is true. I’ve spent so much time eliminating risk that I’ve never truly considered passion, and how that can fit into career. I still have plenty of work to do.
Crossing Everett’s Tide Flats: A Haiku
Moving to the north
Kerouac once cross this bridge
Aged concrete and steel
A Monday Poem
Here is Seattle
The rain falls in January
Vigorously at times
Mostly, though,
A sorrowful mist
Seeping into your bones
Bringing an ache
Moving from your marrow
Into your heart
As we await the return
Of sunlight and life
Sunlight Rising Skyward
As sunlight climbs through the trees
Silently caressing my home
Shadows upon my window’s shades
Transform like living Rorschachs
Into distinct leaves, memories
Of the moment that’s fading
The Gym Right After New Year’s
I pulled into the parking lot of the Lynnwood Rec Center this evening. The was a dearth of parking. As I usually, deliberately, time my workouts to avoid the open swim times, I was quite surprised to see a full lot. Then it hit me: New Year’s resolutions. And it was tempting to add a sniff of arrogant disdain. “Well, I’ll still be coming here in the spring”. And then there’s the new “loud grunter dude”. It’s quite the spectacle.
And I felt ashamed as soon as I recognized it. Sure, getting on the machines was challenging. Not too much so, though. Parking did annoy me. But, really, is that worth allowing even the most cursory glance of my mind’s eye? No. All these new people, well, I guess I allowed them to impact my sense of ownership. And there’s that pathetic notion of “I’ve been coming here a long time. Clearly I’m more committed than you”, or some other elitist nonsense.
So, let me shift my attitude and welcome all you new fitness buffs. I hope you exceed your goals.
Memories of a forgotten Seattle
Many memories
Walking past the empty halls
In winter’s darkness
Ages ago I lived in Seattle’s heart. The city was beginning the transformation into the economic behemoth it is now. Still the refuge of the poor, downtrodden. Suburban business professionals drifting through, vanishing as the clock struck five. The flurry of buses and cars away from us. I found myself wandering nighttime streets, streetlights and gentle rain accompanying my steps.
Some wisdom from Rumi
Of long loved Rumi’s poetry. Many great ideas about life, love and God. A great influence upon my life.
Wednesday is done
The day rockets by
I never feel like I’ve completed
Enough
There’s always so very much
Left to do
A Haiku For The Gum Wall
Oh, so Seattle
Remnants of chewing remain
A peculiar site