mysteries, yes

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous 

to be understood. 

How grass can be nourishing in the 

mouths of lambs.

How rivers and stones are forever

in allegiance with gravity.

while we ourselves dream of rising. 

How two hands touch and the bonds

will never be broken.

How people come, from delight or the 

scars of damage, 

to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from those

who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say

"Look!" and laugh in astonishment, 

and bow their heads.

Mary Oliver

Photo:  Peter Bowers

Long Life

For example, what the trees do

not only in lightening storms

or the watery dark of a summer's night

or under the white nets of winter

but now, and now, and now - whenever

we're not looking.  Surely you can't imagine

they don't dance, from the root up, wishing

to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting

a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly

more shade - surely you can't imagine they just 

stand there, loving every 

minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings

of the years slowly and without a sound

thickening, and nothing different unless the wind, 

and then only in its own mood, comes

to visit, surely you can't imagine

patience, and happiness like that. 

Mary Oliver

Photo:  Peter Bowers

Giving

You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but need itself?

Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?

There are those who give little of the much which they have - 

and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. 

And there are those who have little and give it all. 

These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; 

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding; 

And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.

And is there aught you would withhold?

All you have shall some day be given;

Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.

You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."

The trees in the orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.

They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.

Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you.

And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream. 

And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?  

And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?  

See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.  

For in truth it is life that gives unto life -

while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.

And you receivers - and you are all receivers - 

assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. 

Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings; 

For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.  

Kahlil Gibran

Photo:  Peter Bowers

  

hiding in this cage

hiding in this cage

of visible matter

is the invisible

 lifebird

pay attention

to her

she is singing 

your song

Kabir

image via:  sweetlysurreal

we are...

We are

People who need to love, 

because

Love is the soul's life. 

Love is simply creation's 

greatest joy.  

Hafiz

Photo:  Peter Bowers

Out beyond ideas

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, 

there is a field.  I'll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass,

the world is too full to talk about.

Ideas, language, and even the phrase each other

doesn't make sense.

Rumi

Photo:  Peter Bowers