“It is life’s work to recognize the mystery of the obvious.” — Jim Harrison
4.26.26
a western meadowlark
absolved me
from
all
wrongdoing
absolved me
from
everything
shy of
now
4.27.26
norris hot springs opens at 10am
the holy waters invite
the gray and cobbled
first thing on weekdays
me on one side, them on the other
i overhear tales of kids, divorce
and other war-torn territories
the pinyon jays squabble at the feeder
to the east of the pool
as a troop of red-winged blackbirds
fly in from the west
i look across and see myself in 35 years
and one man looks across
and sees himself 35 years ago
the feeders mounted on the fence line
swing in spring winds
creating grooves and notches
along the wooden posts
from which they hang
battered timber
ingrained with story
like the gray and cobbled
across the pool
4.28.26
before the sauna
i run north of town
shirt off so the cold
bites and taunts
sitting next to the stove
all i remember of the run
is a white horse rolling on
its side in the bright light
unaware of anything
beyond skin on
cool spring soil
4.29.26
so many voices of reason
shouting at us as if
the cries of the creek
were not enough
4.30.26
i just saw a t-shirt that said
“you are alive because of someone”
and gratitude rose like the sun
when a momma moose
showed her baby
the way to the willows
and i stood watching
with my mother
from the sun porch
5.1.26
as slow as in the beginning
i walk over river stones
to a back eddy full of caddis
the slower i go
the better i get
in lifelong practice
with water
with current
the spring rainbow
carries winter’s hunger
peace and
a clean release
5.2.26
remedies for modern ailments:
turn off your phone
drink a cup of coffee (outside)
read a book
listen to the birds
catch a fish
write a long letter
breathe fresh air
move your body
remember friends
remember family
remember places
love what you have
↓ inspiration ↓
"The times are urgent; let us slow down" — Dr. Bayo Akomolafe
“I prefer the absurdity of writing poems to the absurdity of not writing poems.” — Wisława Szymborska
yesterday is history.
tomorrow is a mystery.
today is a gift.
— kung fu panda 🦉
Would you still love the creek if it lasted forever?
love,
g