To me, slowing down is important. Why? When I rush, I am rushing past people, beauty, and perhaps worst of all, my own spirit and heart. The quote about “…for whom the bell tolls…” is from John Donne’s Meditation 17. It’s relevant.
Hush, My Soul This spring-like Sunday morning echoes with Church bells — a slightly muffled ring, a recorded ring -- In former days a call to prayer — when done with actual bells -- A call to quiet reflection — the meanings, Purposes, possibilities, and creations of life. Today my first thought, as I Hear them, as many think, I’m sure, “I wonder what time it is.” I should hear, “Slow down!” I should remember, “Ask not for whom the bell tolls…” I should think, “Appreciate those Around me; we are in This together.” Questions and Thoughts
3. Why do I let so much other noise occupy my mind, suborn my thoughts, and urge me to frenetic activity, some that cuts others out of my daily life? 4. How will I slow down enough each day in order that I may be able to work efficiently and effectively and compassionately the rest of my day?
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Words plod --
One, two. Brain chugs -- This, that. Words plop -- Here, there, there, here -- Faster now; don’t slow down. Where? Choo Choo. Woo Woo. “All aboard!” Words in order trot and lunge, grabbing Conductor’s outstretched hand. They all Made it. “Ticket, please.” Oh. Get off at next station. Each asking, “Where do I go now?” Defining Sin
“It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” So said Scout as she had heard and been taught, Recorded in the famous novel. Poof! A muffled mini-explosion, A matter of a second And a brief shower of gray and white feathers. Cooper’s hawks can’t read, At least not the ones that swoop through my back yard. (August 23, 2011) Questions and Thoughts In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird , sympathy and pleasure are associated with the loquacious, melodious mockingbird and mockingbird-like people—those who do some good for others with no expectation of repayment, just because it seems right. I might tend to think the hawk bad for feasting on the bird, but that is instinct, a primitive code of nature embedded in all creatures. Humans alone have a higher thought process to evaluate and recognize not only instinct working in animals but also instinct trying to work in humans. Sometimes I need to listen to those natural urgings; other times I need to think, manage, and create responses that are suitable, excellent, and intelligent—beyond mere instinct. In reality the mockingbird is not good nor the hawk bad. The difference is in my thoughts about them. How do I think about natural processes? How might I use an understanding of nature to inform my self-identity? How can the predator-prey process help me to understand myself and my involvement in life? What values do I hold, values that make some things a sin and some things not, for me? Then and Now
Aeolus sighs and his gentle breath from Southwesterly climes Envelops me. Phoebus, in his radiance, Beams gentle warmth on this Contented face on an Almost chilly morning. Who cares about Aeolus and Phoebus Today? Almighty Science Has negated the reasonings of the Past. Once gods, now Relegated to classical studies, Studies at which Students sigh. Back then, who knew that Phoebus was 93 million miles away Burning with a 73 percent hydrogen core Or that Aeolus was simply at the Whim of the uneven heating of Phoebus—oops! I mean the Sun-- On Earth's surface, creating Pressure changes. Who knew? Ancient peoples Did not necessarily know those Things, but they knew They needed connection with Forces of their lives. I Want connection with them, so I choose to know Aeolus and Phoebus; I choose to know my ancient fellows; I choose to know that Almighty Science Cannot invalidate personal connections to Forces of life or Energies of past peoples-- Humans, related, Them to us, Us to them, For who of us have not known the gentle, embracing Warmth of the spring breeze or the soothing, invigorating Rays of the fall sunlight? Who of them did not? I have always felt a particular attachment to Nature in her varied expressions, especially as past cultures looked to her and engaged in her. Therefore, to me, peoples like the Celts and Native Americans—North, Central, and South—held much wisdom, wisdom that has become increasingly obscure to us today. Fortunately, many have valued that wisdom and movements like British and American Romanticism and Transcendentalism looked to the same Nature and the same Universe for instruction in personal as well as societal applications. In addition to this and truly axiomatically aligned with it are the spiritual longings that every human being possesses, longings that are fulfilled in each one’s own spiritual search, and once again various authors and philosophers have helped to guide and affirm me in my personal journey. This will be evident if you choose to read my work and engage in it.
In regards to this, I would like to mention the importance of the chakra system. I have always been spiritually minded and aware of a definite energy flow in my own body. I make no religious claims about this in terms of a belief that you must possess in order to gain peace, be happy, etc. Probably many people who are content and successful in their lives have listened to and responded to their inner energies, but for me it has been helpful to visualize the energy centers discretely in this journey of growth, a journey that begins with the base or root chakra which is associated with the color red and its associated electromagnetic frequency. I need not go through all here, but the energy centers move up from the base of the spine to the crown of the head and embrace the seven colors of the rainbow. My various poems relate to these as I experience them. I have volumes of poetry in development corresponding to these chakras, but on this page they will not be categorized. They are just here to experience and, hopefully, enjoy and perhaps they will encourage you in your search of self. Here they are! Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but it can be transformed and it can flow from one place to another. From somewhere deep within, The vibrations of life, Spirit that energizes all things: Newton saw it in gravity; Vincent perceived it in stars and fields, Cypresses and wheat, Factories and faces; Jefferson used it in the affairs of government; Satchmo sounded it forth on horn; Oh, so many yet too few have Felt and sensed those energies of life, Transformed and expressed them, Channeled them, Creatively interpreted them-- For us. Those centers, pulsing, vibrating, moving within bodies of flesh, Centers that ring with the essence of life, of our lives, All matter. So, I write them, sing them, play them, paint them in these words As I perceive them, that you may perceive them: Rainbows of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, Each color resonating with its own frequency, Each color resonating with us, within us, Colors of the vibrations of life For us to know the Universe And all its subsets, For us to Express our unique creation. |
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