What Only Soul Can Sense

The eye of the poet is always open,
Even during sleep….
Searching deeper for images and words
To match what only soul can sense,
Looking, not with but through the eye
For hidden spark within the dark.

Bend your knee under great Sequoia
In silent, wordless prayer….
Watch in wonder beside Old Faithful Geyser;
Stand in awe at sunset on rim of Grand Canyon,
Walk along sandy shores of oceans—
You find yourself within great cathedral.

Walk alone into sanctuary of wilderness—
Camp under Milky Way and see above the wider web,
Billions of stars that set boundaries of our galaxy,
Each star a light to germinate imagination….
Who can measure depth of blessing,
Wide as any hope we know?

As long as I live, I will interpret weathered stone,
Get as close to the world as I can,
Rest beside old river’s bank,
Climb mountains whose immortal age
Can only be an estimate by height,
Shifting, always shifting in my mind.

Once we’ve seen deep into Reality,
We lift the veil that blinds us to beauty,
See rainbows in another’s cloud….
Can you feel burdens of an ordinary day
Fall as lightly as raindrops upon naked skin?
If so, you’ve tasted quickening yeast of poetry.

Sacred Wonder in Our Eyes

Of course there are times

When I am lost—

Hours or even days spent gazing

Spellbound in whimsy by empty space—

Light shimmering on the lake,

Counting rolling waves upon the shore,

Watching lightening as it boldly strikes….

 

Times when I walk alone upon some path

Not knowing which way to turn,

Perhaps deep in melancholy forest,

Out upon some field in burning sun,

Jumping in puddles when it rains,

Trudging through heavy snow and wind.

And part of me is lost; and part of me is wild.

 

Last night I danced in reverie

Beneath that big old Moon….

Whether I danced naked or had

Clothes upon my back is my secret.

No, you may not ask.

Go dance your own dance—

Do not ever judge how well I sing my song.

 

There is a world of dreams within,

Fantasies that come and go

As sparrows fly inside large barn

Before they find the open door and soar

Somewhere among white clouds—

Precisely where, I will never know.

And if I could, never would I bring them back.

 

If you find me barefoot, splashing in the brook—

Do not ask to dry my feet

Nor come back to drink your tea.

Do not say a word…  Just stay with me.

Try to understand hidden fire inside my belly.

Sense the pain within my broken heart.

Find me. But do not bring me back.

 

Do you yearn to know this part of me?

If not, then never assume I am ready

To lose my soul for your reality.

Leave me lost in mystery of my own.

Though I may be alone,

I fear someone may take away my Soul.

Only offer me a hand to hold.

 

Perhaps I will take you for wild ride—

I own the sky and ocean blue. And so do you.

I skip from mountain top to river deep of valley floor.

Spread your wings and fly with me.

Whatever time we spend will not be wasted…

For time does not exist when we blaze

With wonder, sacred wonder burning in our eyes.