on rain falls and flames

waylaid sunrise
a "rain fall warning"
dashing all hope
of morning light

lamp flame smoulders
flickers quick
sparks to fuller life
with one deft
adjustment
venting in sweet air
and sweeter light

unboxing

i)

oh this cloudy lens

peering up and away

through galaxies

(200 per they say...)

counting and measuring

from this most dim

perspective

ii)

boxed in tight

bound in matter

absorbing energy

locked in space

creeping in time

iii)

older than God

-yes us

we are older, aging

He is "I am"

abiding 

on demons

demons linger
outer edges of parks
deep in the woods
right on the crossroads
or under basement stairs
 waiting
for generations
if needed

once they're forgotten
they'll  slither out
ready
with their
ancient dusty tricks

the problem
with demons
is that they
don't get bored

a third way

high road  - low road
nah
it isn't some dualism
to ponder
to choose a path

no big clear cut
sea change
swapping out
religion for rebellion
rebellion for religion

a third way
a middle way
brothers sisters
 a relationship
strong like a
mother's heart
abiding like a
good good father

tiny temple dog

autumn wind
lingering cool breeze
cold isn't a front
just blowing through
no  - not this time

the mice know it
they sneak under the deck
seeking any tiny crack
up under the siding
and in

the tiny temple dog
hears 'em coming
chases
them all the way
back to the wild

burden

walking the path
in these heavy robes
soaked
in fall rain

doing the work
performing
the tired monk duties
praying, reaching out
serving

lessening
the burden
that distance
from God

farm table

boots are kicked off
bit of a jumbled mess really
signs of the rush
to sit up
eat

thick turkey chili
heaped up with barley
and fresh garden spice

washed down
with crisp
hopped
farm table ale

night walk

sun is down
just the slightest
of lingering light
through the white
pine boughs

quick short-cutting strides
through the park
flickering temple lanterns
aglow on the path
lighting the way home