life: acoustic & amplified

poetry, quotes & thoughts about life

Archive for the month “June, 2016”

20 Jun 2016

nothing to hold


I am the watcher

I keep faith

I am here to observe

the passage

to be the extra set of questions

the guardian of the process

I cannot give you the will to live

I cannot bring happiness

I cannot set you free

I cannot influence the outcome

or your choices

I can only be the keeper of the light

I can only be the vessel of prayer

I can only carry hope in my heart

I can only move aside and allow love to flow through me

I can only stand with courage

I can only see you just as you are

I can only allow you to be your you-ness

I can only love and love and love

That’s what I am called to do

every place I go

😍

AL


my heart hurts today

for the pain you suffer,

for the pain you inflict. 

I feel great sorrow 

for what you have chosen to accept. 

for the manipulation you chose to live in. 

sadness sits on me 

like a heavy fog

as I drive

I wait. 

I pray. 

I pay,

the smarmy man,

with the weird goatee,

wearing the faded Jack Daniels t-shirt. 

It’s all happening outside of myself, 

even my drive home. 

I walk a mile quickly

upon my return, 

my angst, 

mixing with my grief. 

my tears haven’t stopped all morning. 

I walk this beach,

so familiar, 

yet always new. 

I pick up rocks with cold, sandy gloves,

filling my pockets. 

I stand while the gulls float,

so secure,

so assured,

so secure.

As I watch

peace finally descends,

fills me. 

I let go of you…

of my disappointment…

of my desire….

This is never easy for me. 

I fight letting go.

trusting is a ruthless business. 

I choose to live ruthlessly. 

I believe in it! 

I’m a just small part of this masterpiece of life. 

I acknowledge the blessed truth I know for sure:

I am uniquely loved!

beloved!

helped!

held!

Peace descends.  

I walk home in the calm, cold, air. 

I am never alone. 

I will never be abandoned. 

I am loved. 

truly and always. 

Amen. 

🙏🏻

AL

two jobs,

two stories,

two worlds even,

in one movement,

love and need and

nothing now or ever

to come between the two. 

💞

  – David Whyte

Posted in attitude, awareness, connection, courage, find art at pinterest, Freedom, Grieving, Letting Go, Love | Leave a comment
19 Jun 2016

light & shadow


Of the light in my room:

Its mood swings,

Dark-morning glooms,

Summer ecstasies.
Spider on the wall,

Lamp burning late,

Shoes left by the bed,

I’m your humble scribe.
Dust balls, simple souls

Conferring in the corner.

The pearl earring she lost,

Still to be found.
Silence of falling snow,

Night vanishing without trace,

Only to return.

I’m your humble scribe.
📝

Secret History by Charles Simic 


Sleep hangs in soft evening light

in the corners of the room –

like an old pair of favorite pants,

slightly baggy,

immensely comfortable,

a few worn-thru patches of natural ventilation. 

Soft, favorite, go-to pants 

for days off. 

Those ones always ready to take you anywhere in comfort,

on a day where you are

not trying to impress anybody –

just need to be the real you. 

Stripped of pretense. 

A day where dreams can change your living, 

and love songs can overflow inside

from start to finish. 

You eat dinner with friends. 

Savoring moments. 

Hoping this day of summer 

will linger long

like honey on your fingers 

after the toast is gone. 

Sweet and sticky,

clinging to everything. 

Extra goodness

for the tongues finding. 

Shadows fall. 

The day drops it’s load 

and lets go. 

Relaxing into nothingness,

eyes begin to see 

the spaces between worlds. 

Beauty fills the air,

waiting for me. 

In the quiet of the night,

I lie alone,

yet not… 

I am loved. 

Aware, as I float away,

just how magical 

a moment can be. 

🖋

AL

Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, connection, dark, intimacy, Letting Go, Life, light, moment | Leave a comment
16 Jun 2016

into the silence


Now there was a great wind…

but the Lord was not in the wind;

and after the wind an earthquake,

but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

and after the earthquake a fire,

but the Lord was not in the fire;

and after the fire a sound of deep silence.

—1 Kings 19.11-12

Beneath the earthquake, wind and fire

that are always here

I listen for your silence

that is always here,

your deep, luscious silence

speaking to me, singing.
I listen to your deep silence

breathing in me.

I listen for the sound of it,

its great sea moving,

its stars whirling.

I listen into the deep

that welcomes me.
Beneath the noise and rush and flame

your silence unfolds in me,

the great rose of you

opening to my own silence

and I become your silence

unfolding into the world.

 

__________________

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Unfolding Light

http://www.unfoldinglight.net


to me great contentment is when you are able to sit on the porch looking at the beauty that God has made surrounding you, with a hot cup of coffee and nothing on your mind…

to drink in nature and commune in a silent, grateful, prayerful state without forcing words through your mind or your mouth…

just letting the thoughts slide through….coming and going as they will and feeling complete peace in your soul.

just to be in that moment and feel God’s presence and God’s peace to experience that moment of living…not expecting any- thing…

just feeling quite wonderful, not happy, not sad, just wonderful….very human and very alive.

it is interesting…because in the last couple of years…in some of my toughest times…I have experienced a lot of these wonderful moments of contentment…it is a complete surrender to the will of God and the Uni- verse – it is truly a wonderful thing…peace…

AL

 

good bye for now – new things being birthed 💞 peace

Posted in attitude, awareness, Change, Letting Go, Life, Love, quiet, Reflection, soul and spirit, transformation, Trust, truth, Vulnerability, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
15 Jun 2016

it always comes down to choices       

Only when we rest in God can we find the safety, the spaciousness, and the scary freedom to be who we are, all that we are, more than we are, and less than we are.

             – Richard Rohr


The quarrel of the sparrows in the eaves,

The full round moon and the star-laden sky,

And the loud song of the ever-singing leaves,

Had hid away earth’s old and weary cry.

And then you came with those red mournful lips,

And with you came the whole of the world’s tears,

And all the trouble of her laboring ships,

And all the trouble of her myriad years.

And now the sparrows warring in the eaves,

The curd-pale moon, the white stars in the sky,

And the loud chaunting of the unquiet leaves,

Are shaken with earth’s old and weary cry.

😔

The Sorrow of Love by William Butler Yeats
———
Do you have any idea how many princesses have gone unrecognized by their prince because of logic? Or how many princes have gone unrecognized by their princess because of pride? 
How many dreams were dashed when the handmaiden answered the door? Or when the gatehouse was mistaken for the mansion? Or when the calm before the storm of abundance and good fortune was viewed as a sign to retreat? 
Happily, we’ve got forever and ever. And fortunately, it’s never too late to see what one’s missed, remain focused on the dream instead of the hows, and move with unwavering faith. 
Yeeeee-haaaaaaaaaa!! 

         The Universe

           www.tut.com


freedom, 

oh freedom,

that’s just some people talkin’

cause your prison is walking through this world 

all alone. 


there is terrible beauty in every human heart 
tell me a story that will live with me forever
love always shares grace always wins
you can’t miss out
pay attention…
the message is always revealed at the appointed intersection 
letting go brings the right miracle
at the right time the song playlist repeats 
crazy love flows into mystic waters
deep calling to deep
honor chooses to say yes to the best invitations
making the call brings me the messages I need 

there is always more than enough to share

gratitude buckets fill and overflow
removing scales from blurry, tearful, kaleidoscope eyes 
as perfect peace falls into rightful place
color shards blooming into new masterpieces of never before seen glory
diamonds dance on the water

herons bring messages of great importance, 

delivered via my beautiful Mama Bird, 

fluent in language of bird, tree, dreams and laughter…just to name a few. 
flaming beauty evolves, drives me to my knees,
shedding shoes, and fear, 
as I pray
I lift my face to the evening sky 

and soar free
full wing, open soul, with the hawks,
who always fly in trust that they are enough
right here, and in every tick of time,
in, and in-between, every click of the second hand,
around the bend of eternity and back again

💞

AL

Posted in Adventure, Alone, attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, beloved, Change, Choice, connection, courage, find art at pinterest, Letting Go, Life, Love | Leave a comment
14 Jun 2016

fruitopia 










Anticipation of 
coming back to life
moving through the grey
into new 
love
joy
peace
light
There is no guarantee of anything in this lifetime
however there are amazing things hidden
which bring forth their fruit
in their season
Sometimes it feels like it just won’t happen,
then…

before you know it…
flash, boom, bang,
you got more okra than you could ever eat

grown clear-up to the second floor windows! 
Go ahead, 

live with the hope
Plan with the expectancy
of all good things
come in their time
💞
AL 

Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, Change, Choice, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Love, soul and spirit, Trust, words, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
13 Jun 2016

what matters most 


Real power has nothing to do with force, control, status, or money. Real power is the persistent courage to be at ease with the unsolved and the unfinished. To be able to recognize, in the scattered graffiti of your desires, the signature of the eternal.

💞

John O’Donohue 

Excerpt from ETERNAL ECHOES


there’s laughter in the air

flickering like candle light

touching hearts and ears

floating,

feather-like,

through the air around us,

between us. 

Soaking into our pores,

permeating our bones,

healing us,

making us strong. 

Why should we worry?

so, there’s a black cloud above us..

Let it stay…

or let it go….

let’s laugh till your bellies hurts. 

Then laugh some more, 

until the sun comes out 

just to find the reason, 

Till all the corners of the world 

need to wipe their eyes with us,

and, then, we all take a great, big sigh of relief…

😂

AL


such beautiful sunset photos taken today by my very, very special Allie Dolan, aka: Allie-girl. So blessed and grateful to have her back in my life 💞 @ Branford, CT

Posted in Choice, laugh, Letting Go, Love | Leave a comment
13 Jun 2016

read all about it


Especially in the afternoon when light slants

through the window, grazing her cheek on its way to the page.

For a woman who appreciates that kind of light for reading. 

Especially in mornings, when coffee makers groan. 

When everyone else is still climbing, still hand-over-handing their way

up from dreams. 

For the book

that fell into the bath

and was fished out — quickly. 

For the line

that swam before her as she fell

asleep. 

In stolen time: 

the check-out line, 

the way to work.

In fits and starts of traffic, 

in the press

of bodies. 

Especially

for anyone who’s ever missed her stop. 

For anyone who’s laughed out loud while reading

in a restaurant. 

Or ever thought of writing

to a stranger:

You told my story. 

How did you know?
Especially for a teenage girl whose touch

turns bookmarks into ash. 

And so she uses rubber bands, 

a roll of tape, 

a stray sock, 

a receipt, 

or my book

to hold her place open. 

Who won’t

come to supper till she finishes her page.

For a grandmother I know

about, who stirred with a book in one hand. 

For everyone stirring

with words in their hands. 

For anyone who’s ever grasped a book in two hands.

Hold your breath, and crack it open.

For books that have burned to be written. 

Books thrown into the fire

because supper wasn’t ready, or her chores had not been done.

For anyone who’s ever had anyone tell her:

All that reading makes you think too much.
 Especially when the leaves against the window

are a chorus from another time.

When evening comes, a woman stretches one curved arm to reach

the light behind her. 

She is reading while the birds take roost, and punctuate

the branches. 

Reading till her book is finished. 

Reading like a girl. 

📖

~Sue MacLeod


I didn’t intend to eat my 

Chocolatini Godiva Truffle 

until the very last. 

It was my shooting star. 

my most special to look forward to. 

my magic bullet. 

my favorite. 

Intented for the ending of the box celebration.  

saved

cherished

savored

but then I finished my book!  

I finished reading 

The Night Circus 

and my chocolatini was the closest thing

I could find to a chocolate mouse…

and so, I had to eat it! 

to celebrate!!!

What a cool book! 

Reading is my life,

books my passion, 

the smell of old libraries one of my favorites. 

Yet, I have not read a novel for a long time… 

have not found one that captured me in years…

until now. 

No hesitation with my truffle choice today,

it was the best show of respect

and gratitude I could give. 

The circus arrives without warning…

the circus of dreams…

and we are swept away by the very taste of it…

📚

AL

Posted in attitude, awareness, Becoming Yourself, beloved, confidence, connection, find art at pinterest, Growth, Habits, Imagine, inspiration, Poetry, power | Leave a comment
12 Jun 2016

say it…live it…be it muchly


that is all for today…

Posted in action, art, attitude, Becoming Yourself, beloved, commitment, connection, courage, determination, Faith, find art at pinterest, Letting Go, Life, Love, risk, soul and spirit, Trust, truth, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
11 Jun 2016
1 Comment

Make me sweet again, fragrant and fresh and wild, and thankful for any small event. – Rumi


Passion is a feeling that tells you: this is the right thing to do. Nothing can stand in my way. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says. This feeling is so good that it cannot be ignored. I’m going to follow my bliss and act upon this glorious sensation of joy.

― Wayne W. Dyer


I dreamt we walked together along the shore. 

We made satisfying small talk and laughed.

 This morning I found sand in my shoe and 

a seashell in my pocket. 

Was I only dreaming?

🌊

      – Maya Angelou

Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Choice, connection, Faith, find art at pinterest, intimacy, Joy, Letting Go, Life, Love, Reflection, soul and spirit, Trust, truth, voice, Vulnerability, www.pinterest.com
11 Jun 2016

I see you


A woman in the city, who was a sinner,

stood behind him at his feet, weeping,

and began to bathe his feet with her tears….

He said, “Do you see this woman?”

—Luke 7.37, 44

……………………..
No, we do not see.

To one of Jesus’ most arresting questions,

we have to answer: we don’t see her.

We see our prejudices and stereotypes. W

e see our fears and projections.

We don’t see this woman;

we see what we think of her.

We see a sinner.

We see someone disrupting our dinner.

We see someone who makes us uncomfortable.

Which is to say, we see our judgment,

our expectations,

our discomfort.

We see our own stuff.

We don’t see her.
But Jesus saw this woman,

really saw her.

He saw her pain and her strength,

her gratitude, her courage,

her transformation.

He saw the precious value of her gift.

He saw her soul at work.

He saw God’s grace in her.
Jesus really saw people.

He saw who they were and knew their story,

not because he had ESP

but because he paid attention.

The woman at the well,

the bent over woman,

the rich man,

Bartimaeus,

the woman who touched him in a crowd…

he really saw people because he wanted to. He

paid attention.

And there was healing in his seeing.

What he saw in people was not their flaws

but the mercy of God.

And seeing the grace was like sunlight on plants:

it made people heal and grow and bear fruit.
God, help me really see.

Help me set aside my feelings and judgments,

and see whole people,

your beloved,

precious souls.

Help me see myself:

help me notice my projections,

and name my fears and expectations;

help me confess my blinders

and set them aside so I can see.

Beloved, help me really see people,

really see your grace,

really see at all.

Beloved, I want to see.

 

__________________

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Unfolding Light

http://www.unfoldinglight.net



At dusk, by the irrigation ditch

gurgling past backyards near the highway,

locusts raise a maze of calls in cottonwoods.

A Spanish girl in a white party dress
s

trolls the levee by the muddy water

where her small sister plunks in stones.

Beyond a low adobe wall and a wrecked car

men are pitching horseshoes in a dusty lot.

Someone shouts as he clangs in a ringer.

Big winds buffet in ahead of a storm,

rocking the immense trees and whipping up

clouds of dust, wild leaves, and cottonwool.

In the moment when the locusts pause and the girl

presses her up-fluttering dress to her bony knees

you can hear a banjo, guitar, and fiddle

playing “The Mississippi Sawyer” inside a shack.

Moments like that, you can love this country.

—–
“Passing through Albuquerque” by John Balaban


I wanna take this moment to look into your eyes.
Linger there with courage, allow your soul to rise
Feel your loving spirit
Touch your hidden dreams.
Let you know you’re not alone

that you’re finally seen…

Now’s there’s one less stranger in the world.

One less lonely heart in the night.

Lift your eyes and look at me

now there’s one less stranger in the world.

If you speak right from your heart
and let me do the same
If you allow my point of view
As we grow and change
If we both ask questions
to answers we seek
Then just sit in silence
allow our hearts to speak….

There’d be one less stranger in the world.
One less lonely heart in the night.
Lift your eyes and look at me
now there’s one less stranger in the world.

💑

AL


Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, Change, Choice, compassion, connection, Faith, find art at pinterest, Letting Go, Life, Love, Miracles, Passion, People, perceptions, Vulnerability, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment

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