Will I Continue?

Last day of the year,
Last haiku poem to write,
Until tomorrow?

Grace

As long as I'm here
And living in gratitude,
My heart is healing.

Living

How then shall you live?
Remembering what you love,
Doing what matters.

Maybe ... Maybe Not

A dark drive to work,
Light rain is falling again --
Has winter arrived?

Night Visitor

Night light comes on,
Outside I see a possum
And he looks at me.


I open the door
which hits my big forehead hard --
No blood, just a bruise.


Where's the possum now?
Hiding somewhere and laughing
About clumsy guys.

A Day At A Time

Momento mori,
It's time to number your days --
Know that you will die.

Remembering

On our Christmas day
No mother to call this year,
She died on May 1st.

Who Knows?

Riding the bus south
On the way home for Christmas,
Will it be my last?

Cooper's Day

On his sixth birthday
He lost his first tooth ever,
Celebrate the boy!

Portland Bound

Riding the bus north,
Going to grandson's birthday --
It will be his sixth.

Ready To Go

Packing my suitcase,
Filling it with Christmas gifts,
Birthday presents, too.

Running Out of Haiku Days

Eleven days left
To write my daily haiku,
A year of poems.

Done!

Finished the shopping,
Finished all the gift wrapping --
Ready for Christmas!

Still Here

Fourteen years ago
Prognosis was five year's left --
Miracle patient!

The Photo*

Contemplative face
"ponders all things in her heart."
Wonder who she is?

*  Reading Patricia Hampl

Forget the Knife!

Moving precisely,
Her intelligent fingers
Spread peanut butter.

Waiting ...

Alone in our bed
Without the warmth my love,
She will be here soon.

My Turn

Locked out of the house,
Can't find the key anywhere.
It must be inside!

Hanging Decorations

Don't spin it around,
That's my only instruction --
The lights are plugged in.


Instructions ignored --
Had to spin the tree around,
Which took the lights down.


String the lights again,
Wrap them around and around --
Plug them in your way.

Coldest Day ... So Far

Twenty-one degrees --
Scraping frost off car windows,
Crank up the heater!

Night Meditation

Lying next to her,
As I listened to her breathe,
My breath went to sleep.

Her Phone Message

Locked out of the house
With no key to get back in --
Please come open it.

Anita's Night

Art Show Opening --
Mixed media assemblage
With music and wine.

In My Dream ...

I received a call:
"Lost in Pennsylvania,"
She said, "Come find me."

Where Is It?

Where do you call home?
"Place" doesn't really matter;
Home is in our minds.

An Editorial Cartoonist's Dream

Arrogant bully,
A hyperactive ego --
Looks a lot like Newt!

Shunryu Suzuki Says ...

Come sit in your chair --
What's most important in life?
To quiet the mind.

Sweet Connection

My hand caresses
the softness of her belly --
Spooning in the dark.

The Unbearable Nonsense of Being

She has her worries
And he worries about that --
None of it matters!

Brain Song*

A chorus murmured --
"Charity begins at home."
Snapshot in my mind.

*Reading Patricia Hampl

Smell of Words*

Walk the garden paths,
Crushing the thyme underfoot,
Scent rushed to my nose.

* Reading Patricia Hampl

Prescription

A day to stay home
in case I am contagious.
Put the drugs to work.

Antibiotic Time?

Went to the doctor
Who diagnosed strep throat --
Maybe, maybe not!

Illness?

Woke up with sore throat,
No other symptoms right now --
Wonder what comes next?

Crafty Creations

Making art show cards --
Glue the photo to the card,
Then do the next one.

More To Eat

Eat more leftovers --
Turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie.
Thanksgiving redux.

Buy Day

Call it "Black Friday,"
People lined up at the Mall --
Open at midnight!

Too Much To Eat

It's Thanksgiving Day --
Turkey is in the oven,
Peel the potatoes!

Enter Today!

A haiku contest --
Gift from the gas company,
Win one thousand bucks!

Shopping List

Pick up the turkey,
Finish grocery shopping
For Thanksgiving Day.

Chamber Music Amici II

Harpsichord, cello,
Flute and violin playing
A Bach Sonata.

Life

So what matters now?
Each and every moment
My heart beats once more.

Winter Arriving?

Blustery weather,
Heavy rains in the forecast --
Maybe even snow.

Losing Battle

Columbia Gorge,
Scenic gem of Oregon,
Drowned in acid fog.

Seasonal Cycle

Leaves are nearly gone,
The river now in full view 
Until Spring returns.

Zen Time

Now is all there is.
Past is no destination,
Nor is the future.

Yearly Ritual

Property tax day --
Check goes in the envelope,
Drop it in the box.

Laptop S(news)

Looking at the screen,
Reading today's messages --
Answer the email.

Sunday Breakfast

Cooking the bacon
to eat with fried eggs and toast,
Don't forget coffee!

Exercise

Working out early
at the old YMCA,
Should have stayed in bed!

11.11.11

Triple elevens --
Once in a century date,
This Veteran's day.

Seasonal Surrender

Outside my window
Tree tops show their orange leaves
And then let them go.

3 a.m.

Woke up nauseous --
Am I going to throw up?
Just go back to sleep!

Seasonal Ritual

Raking golden leaves
From the lawn to the curb side,
First load of many.

City Lighthouse

Through the night time fog
The street light glows bright amber,
Beacon in the mist.

Weekend - Sunday

Weekly ritual --
Reading the Sunday paper,
Comics and coffee.

Weekend - Saturday

Weekly ritual --
Baking banana muffins*
for my dear partner.

* Gluten-free!

Art to Art

First Friday Art Walk --
Gallery to gallery,
Artist's show their best.

Joy

Outlandish pleasure,
Unreasonable beauty --
Life's wildest blessings.

How Much Is A Tooth Worth?

In the dentist's chair
waiting for a root canal --
Twelve hundred dollars!

How Many Left?

First of November,
Eleventh month of the year.
Will it be my last?

Scare Me!

Witches and goblins
are wandering in the streets,
It's Halloween night.

While Waiting for Sleep

While remembering
the soft texture of her skin,
Sleep overtook me.

Politics As Usual

Utter lunacy
continues in Washington,
Congressmen at work?

How Does It All End?

"Death is not the end,"
(we've been confused all life long)
"It is a release."

Quotes:  Patricia Hampl in "Virgin Time"

What Are You Waiting For?

So commit to a
Sacred act of lunacy,
Before its too late!

Burrrr....

Twenty-eight degrees --
A cold October morning,
Scraping car windows.

First Freeze

Frost on the windows,
Where did I put the scraper?
Look under the seat.

Change of Season

A cool breeze blowing,
Walking to the library,
Autumn colors glow.

Baker Man

Mixed up the batter
To bake banana muffins --
Don't forget walnuts!

Lights Out?

A wave of darkness
washes over my psyche --
Will I drown this time?

Never Fails!

An annoying day,
Repairing leaky plumbing.
Stop a leak -- starts one!

Morning Weather

Forty-nine degrees,
Drive to work in a dense fog,
Clear at the office.

October Morning

Woke up in the dark,
Got ready to go to work --
Waiting for daylight.

Long Ago ... Back Today

 

Walked by a hot rod,

Memories of high school days,

Time for photo opp.

The Sing Off*

"Listen to Your Heart,"
Acapella voices sing --
Brings tears to my eyes.

* Just voices, that's all.

In My Dream ... In the Front Yard

The tree was missing,
Not even a stump to see --
Stolen in the night.

Occupy Eugene*

Locals join the cause,
Their tents fill a downtown park.
Police let them be.


*  A website is up and running.

Today's Question

How to overcome
Malaise of everydayness --
That is the question?

Slow Down

Running out of work,
Budget cuts, fewer projects --
More creative time.

More Hints of Fall

Outside my window

Leaves turn a dazzling yellow,

Say "goodbye" to green*!

* Which turned blue taking the photo through the window.

Kitchen Sink

Faucet is dripping,
Time to replace washers --
A plumber or me?

Chamber Amici*

Went to a concert,
Strings playing Brahms and Haydn --
Classical magic!

*  Concert Series At the Wildish Theater, Springfield OR

This Too Shall Pass

I woke up depressed
Without much life energy --
Get up, get moving!

Addicted

She's in denial
Eating a fat-filled diet --
Pizza and ice cream.

Pay Up!

Pleading for money,
Another Radiothon.
It's donation time!

How Much Longer?

Postman stops his truck,
Gets out and walks to the house.
Drops mail in the box.

Passionate Man

Steve Jobs died today.
He changed my life, my sons' too.
Transformed ways we work.

Snooze

Another downpour,
Sounds of droplets on the roof
Lull me off to sleep.

Auto Mystery

The car would not start.
Tightened battery cable --
It solved the problem!

It's Back!

The rain has returned,
No sunshine in the forecast
For at least five days.

Another New Month

First of October,
Sixty-seventh of my life.
Are there many more?

A Lost Photo Returned

Who is that young man?

What did he do with his life?

Look in the mirror.

Changing Season

Among the trees,
One red leaf among the green
Longing for Fall.

Indigestion

Pain in the belly,
Was it something I just ate?
Maybe, maybe not.

Painful Soul

Living with regrets,
Decisions made long ago --
Can't forgive herself.

Unhappy in Love

Feeling disrespected
Because I forgot to ask --
No slack for old men.

Big Bird

Hiking at Smith Rock,

Looked up -- Saw a bald eagle

Perched in a dead tree.

Hosmer Lake

Up Century Drive

And around Mt. Bachelor

To canoe the lake.

25 Years Later

Time to celebrate --
Heading over the mountains
On the way to Bend.

The Doc

Watching Doc Martin,
A most unlikeable guy
Who you want to like.

Autumn (In Progress)

Outside my window
leaves turning orange and red --
Fall begins Friday.

Old Man's Project*

Why did he do it?
"The pride of accomplishment."
By himself -- no help.

* Gunnar's Growlery

Her Choice (Her Destiny?)

A pizza a day
Transforms a beauty to fat,
Right before our eyes.

Two Years (and Still Hopping)

Black and white rabbit,
A survivor in the wild,
Showed up this morning.

Night List

"Sweet darling," she said
In the middle of the night,
"Don't forget to do ...."

Another Hint of Fall

A cool morning walk
to my favorite cafe --
Hot coffee awaits.

Fond Memory

Eating a pizza,
reminds me of high school days,
Old friends come to mind.

Morning Sounds

Walking out the door,
I hear geese honking above--
A "V" headed south.

Hints of Fall

From our third floor room,
overlooking the tree tops,
Leaves are turning red.

A New Day

It's the day after
the tenth anniversary--
No more "Ground Zero."

Ten Years Ago

As the tower fell
My heart broke open with tears.
I watched and I wept.

Today

New tower rising,
Wars started, trillions spent --
The terrorists won.

Leadership?

The Presidents' wars 
Kill and maim our young people.
Will that ever change?

The Congress bickers
While people lack food and work.
Will that ever change?

In My Waking Dream ....

She danced before me
in a silver bikini,
Much to my delight.

"Comment" *

The pitter-patter
comes from the little critters
Racing on the roof.

*  A "play" on Gunnar Berg's haiku on Facebook

Mother

Writing reflections
about the life of my mom,
Share her legacy.

Listening to Heartwood Hotel

Rosalie Sorrels
speaking about her mother
Brings tears to my eyes.

Weather Weirdness

September surprise --
a week of ninety degrees
And above -- heat wave!

Haze

Smoke from forest fires
filled the valley sky last night,
Closed all the windows.

Caught Up

Updated the blog
With my haiku's from last month,
Call this a poem?

Tired of "It"

Feel a bit better,
Eating lots of chicken soup,
Ready to be well!

Medical Opinion

Went to the doctor
to get a diagnosis,
Best guess -- a virus.

Still Sick

Too sick to do much,
Just stay close to a bathroom
Or risk a big mess!

Sick

Woke at 5 a.m.
Sore belly and worse bowels,
Ugh -- diarrhea.

In My Dream ...Once More

My oldest son called
to tell me about his mom,
But he could not speak.


Hearing the silence
I asked if something was wrong,
But he could not talk.


"Tell me what happened?"
Guessing that she may be dead,
He could not say it.

Temperatures

The chill of the air
soon vanishes with the heat,
Until the morning.

Celebrate!

Beginning today:
The Eugene Celebration
Keeps the city weird.

Fruit of the Past

The taste of a peach,
Both the sweet and the sour,
Brings back memories.

Night Scent

The smell of leather
permeates the whole bedroom,
A brand new waist pack.

Unsatisfying Choices

Household maintenance:
I wonder how many years
of Life it consumed?

Tinnitus

The sound is loudest
in the middle of the night,
Screaming in my ears.

Remembering

Mother comes to mind
Most often in the night when She
Died -- four months ago.

Sound of Silence

The buzz of insects
fills the air this afternoon,
All at once they stop.

A Week Later

First weekend back home,
Looking at her 'to do' list--
Can't wait until Monday.

Drip-drip-dumb

Watering the lawn,
Wasting too much drinking water,
Time to give it up!

Overdoing It

My heart is pumping
after some heavy lifting,
Too much weight for me.

Night Noise

Sound of breaking glass
Startled me awake last night,
Must have been next door.

Back at Work

No drama at work,
Just the usual same stuff --
Didn't miss a thing.

In My Dream ...Again

Avoiding capture,
I hide behind a big tree,
Got caught anyway.

Wondering

Home from vacation,
Ready to go back to work,
What "drama" awaits?

After a Short Haircut

Facing the mirror,
One ear out, not the other --
Asymmetry wins!

Sweet Wake-Up

Sex in the morning
Keeps a guy glowing all day,
Thinking about her.

Parallel Success

Parking a Prius
in a space too small to park,
Bumped a car just once.

At a Trolley Stop

From across the street
A skateboarder and waiter,
Old friends reunite.

Coon Capers

Through the swinging door
In came three masked intruders,
Burglars in the night.

Differences

Sitting at breakfast
As she writes her "to do" list,
Not my way to live.


So how do you live?
No lists, nothing to cross-off,
Let the day unfold.

Woke Me Up

Aggravated knee,
Strained from biking yesterday,
Throbbing pain right now.

Disappointing Day

 
A very dark mood --
Her regrets about last night
Colored the whole day.

Childhood Echoes (from Skinned Knee)

"So what's your problem?"
"Don't feel sorry for yourself!"
"Go back out and play."

Living Room Decor

Masks hanging on walls
Keep evil spirits away
And scare humans too!

First Thursday Art Walk

Beautiful women,
Five-inch heels and six-inch skirts,
Bare legs on parade.

Public Transportation

Riding the Max train,
Sweaty bodies all around,
Packed in like sardines.

Etiquette Lession # 1

"Whenever you yawn,
be sure to cover your mouth,"
she said, quoting Mom.

At Fernhill Park

Tonight in the park
Ty Curtis played dirty blues --
Set the crowd on fire!

Sitting on the Porch

Chickens peck the grass
Digging for bugs in hiding,
Then tip-toe away.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

A bamboo wind chine
plays its tune in the warm breeze
As I write haiku.

Portland B-B-Q 

Sitting at Cannon's
listening to Reggie play
The New Orlean's Blues.


 

Reading Patricia Hampl*

A people-pleaser
Glad to be disapproved of --
"I don't give a damn!"

*The Florist's Daughter

At the Artichoke Cafe

Singer songwriters
Make music that delights us,
Joyful Friday night.

Time To Go

Get ready to leave,
Put suitcases in the car,
Two-week vacation!

Joys & Concerns

Sitting with my friend,
Eating lunch and catching up
on news of our lives.

"The Heartwood Hotel"

Tuesday evening
With the radio turned on,
Tunes and poetry.

Emergency

Sirens in the night,
The fire truck rolls loudly by,
Waking up the 'hood.

"My Way or the Highway"

Angry President,
"No Tax" Speaker of the House,
Still no compromise.

Sunday Morning

Drinking my coffee,
Reading the Sunday paper
On the sunny deck.

Saturday Morning

Headed for the Y,
Going to workout early,
Then time to relax.

Sitting At Washburne Cafe

"What are you doing?"
He asked, then answered himself,
"Reading the paper."

SenatorSpeak

Question of the year:
Is "at the end of the day"
All they know to say?

Staff Meeting

After the drama
the "news" landed with a thud,
Not to be trusted.

5 a.m.

As it rolls through town
a train blasts its horn five times.
Wake up! Wake up! Wake .....

Not Another Dream!

Awake in the dark,
Listening to the rain*fall.
Am I in a dream?

*  As of today, more rain has fallen than our average for the month of July.

More July Rain

It's raining again
in the middle of the night,
Yes, it is July!

The Witnesses

Knock at the front door,
Two ladies with their bibles
Proclaim God's kingdom.

First Light

Waking up at dawn,
I hear the songs of morning --
Chickadees' chirping.

Not In Washington, D.C.

Sitting on the porch,
Old men solve the world's problems,
Then go for a walk.

Wet Surprise

A light rain falling
on this 12th day in July,
A rare occurrence*.

* Seven times since 1931.

Take A Break

It is 4 o'clock,
Time for afternoon coffee.
"Sleep" the computer!

Outahere

Driving to Jack Creek,
Headed over the mountains
To the desert side.

Yelp!

Writing a review
of my favorite cafe,
So glad they are here!

After Sleeping Late

Walking to Washburne*
Ready for morning coffee
And some steel cut oats.

In My Dream (3) ...

I'm getting ready,
heading out the door to drive,
Car missing again!

For How Long?

Feeling "nearly normal,"
No more waves of dizziness,
Whatever that means?

Wierdness

Feeling off-balance,
Dizziness with eyes flashing,
What's this all about?

Holiday?

The 4th of July,
Lots of noise, flash, and hoopla.
That's independence?

Art & The Vineyard*

A warm, sunny day,
Great for a stroll in the park
to enjoy the art.

* 4th of July Weekend

Summer Job

Scrubbing the back deck
Getting it ready for stain,
How long will it last?

Manipulator

No reason to change,
Her guilt-trips still work so well.
Six years and counting.

At a Poetry Reading

Grieving

Two women poets
read words about their mothers,
Daughters of the dead.

Dorianne*

"If I had a choice,
I would only write poems
about rock and roll."

* Comment while reading a new poem about her love of James Taylor.

Really?

"It's all positive,"
he said, then waited three weeks
to share the "good news."

Time?

What time is it now?
Must be "buddha standard time,"*
This present moment.

*  Reading buddha standard time by Lama Surya Das

New Arrival

Tower of foxglove

rises next to the old fence,

Wasn't here last year.

Early Start

Birds singing their songs
As morning light gets brighter,
Woke at 4:15.

Shameless

Men behave badly,
Using power to get sex.
Do they have no shame?

In My Dream (2) ...

Lost my car again,
It's parked somewhere on the streets.
Never did find it.

Noise

Tinnitus gets old,
Always ringing in my ears,
No silence ... ever!

Buzz Cut

Pruning the big hedge,
Giving it a short "haircut."
Hate the way it looks.

Summer ... Finally?

It's summer solstice,
The longest day of the year.
More daylight, less sleep.

Sweat Work

Cutting down tree limbs
that hang over the sidewalk,
Long overdue job!

"She Walks in Beauty" *

Went to bed early
to read poems together,
Rekindling our love.

*  "She Walks in Beauty" by Caroline Kennedy

Too Early!

Woke at 4:40,
a.m. that is, not p.m.
Time for a long nap!

Annoyed at Joe's

Shopping Trader Joe's,
Looking for stuff on my list.
Hate that they move things!

Dreamland II

Dreams of terrorists
Using Harleys as their bombs,
Poor choice of weapon!

What will happen next?
Motorcycle explosions.
Harley riders' weep!

Playing Taxi

Cruising the highway
on the way to the airport,
Fast-moving traffic.

Waking Up

Woke at 4 a.m.
And couldn't get back to sleep.
Listened to the birds.

Housework

Cleaning the kitchen,
The cabinets refinished
but the dust remains.

Headed South

Southbound on the train
on the way home to Eugene,
Left late; arrived late.

Northbound Train

Sitting on the train
slowly rolling down the tracks
Headed for Portland.

So many ringtones
are interrupting my sleep
(Annoyed on the train).

Sun breaks through the clouds
Brightening this gloomy day,
The train whistle blows.

Feeling so sleepy,
Hard to keep my eyes open,
Train rocks me to sleep.

What is this I hear?
It sounds like Spanish hip-hop
From headphones too loud.

Long Bus

Riding the Em-X,
Just 10 people are on board.
Not a word spoken.

Headed for Breakfast

A cloudy morning

Greets me on my walk to

The Washburne Cafe.

"Gone Away" Party

Off to Hendricks Park

for a picnic with Jasmine,

Wishing her life's best!

                         Photo by Jasmine Rose Penter (in the center)

Back Yard Beauty

Another iris

brings beauty to the back yard,

Sweetening my day.

Just Ducky

A duck in the street
Busy pruning his feathers,
Never mind the cars.

Lantern

A bright pink rhodi

With blossoms big as a ball

Lights up the morning.

Blossoms

Gracing the back yard

A fuchsia azalea

Makes me want to smile.

In My Dream (2) ...

I was confronted
for touching a man's shoulder.
I resigned and left.

Homophobia?
Or did I touch an old wound?
Maybe it was both.

So what happened next?
Sharpened up my boundaries,
No more playful touch. 

A Hint?

Woke up to sunshine
filling the house with bright light.
First sign of summer?

In My Dream ...

I was the preacher,
My sermon lasted too long.
Everybody left!

My sermon that day?
Something about "listening,"
Paying attention.

What is the message?
In waking life as in dreams
"Practice what you preach!"

Fooled Again

Another hard rain
Pouring outside my window,
Left raincoat at home!

Snooze

Sitting in my chair,
Eyes beginning to close and ...
An afternoon nap.

Lost

Memorial Day:
Remembering dead soldiers,
Killed to keep the peace.

"Start Your Engines"

Indy 500:
Thirty-three cars turning left,
One hundred years old.

Nap Wake-Up

Hailstones pound the roof,
Quarter inch white balls hit ground,
Wonder what comes next?

Shining Bright (How Long?)

Late blooming rhodi

Finally getting sunshine,

More rain on its way.

Diagnosis?

Went to the doctor
for answers about my cough.
Lungs clear.  Just takes time.

"O"

For twenty-five years
She opened her heart to us.
Today, her last show.


She shared life lessons.
All that she learned with us.
"What I know for sure."


It came to an end
Just as everything ends.
Be grateful for life!

Still Tired

The cough continues,
Feels like it will never end.
Time for a long nap!

Tired of It!

Not much sleep last night,
Woke up coughing many times,
When will this thing end?

Awaken to Beauty

Beside the sidewalk

Bleeding hearts and irises

Grace my morning walk.

On A Neighborhood Walk

Purple irises
with their long flowing white beards
Blowing in the wind.

Cough, Cough

The cough has returned,
This time harder and deeper,
My vocal cords hurt!

Today At The Office

Change is forthcoming,
Not sure when it will happen,
Trust is the lesson!

Surprising News

In the staff meeting
She said it was time to leave,
Betrayed too often.

In Living Pink

Dogwood in full bloom,
Pink flower petals spread wings,
Flying to the sun.

Flying Home

Sitting in the plane
Listening to babies cry,
Joys of air travel?

Morning After

Sitting by the pool
Soaking up the bright sunshine,
Arizona heat!

5/14 @ 5:14 pm

May your wedding day
Bring you happiness and joy
Each day of your lives.

Last Chance

Flying to Phoenix
For Brother Bob's fifth wedding, 
Will it be his last?

Not Ready

Traveling again,
Gone for another weekend,
Longing to stay home.

Forgotten

Where is that poem?
Did I write it or did I not?
That is the question.

Life Goes On

Back at work today,
Returning calls, catching up.
Hard to concentrate.

Yesterday's News

Newspaper headline:
"Always listen to your mom."
Will I hear her now?

A Day Without Her

On this Mother's Day,
The day of my mother's birth,
No mother to call.

Wondering

As my brother drives,
We talk about what comes next.
Life without mother.

Celebrating Mother

A beautiful day,
We bury Mom with her kin,
Now she rests in peace.

At the Funeral Home

My brother and I
Look at Mom in the casket,
Together, we weep.

Remembering

Brother and sister
tell stories of our mother,
Remember her life.

Almost Home

Out the plane window,
"The Land of 10,000 Lakes" --
Minnesota home.

The Day After

Packing to go home
for my mother's funeral,
Feeling waves of grief.

May Day

The first day of May,
The last day of mother's life,
She died this morning.

Mother's Dying

Her heartbeat is strong,
Her breathing is getting slower,
Not much longer left.

Vigil

I called my brother,
He says mother is sleeping,
Not many words left.

Mother's Wish

He reads her the Psalms,
She asked to sing old church hymns,
Last days of her life.

A Brother's Tears

As my brother speaks
I hear the grief in his voice,
Our mother near death.

Mother's Last Days

Mother lays dying
In her nursing home bed now.
Waiting for last breath.

Oregon Spring

Hailstones pelt the car,
Followed by a big downpour --
Oregon Spring time.

High School Church Choir

It's Easter Sunday,
Sunrise service memories,
Sing Hallelujah!

Long Awaited

Sunshine ... finally!
Off to Saturday Market
to bring home veggies.

85 Years is Enough Life

My brother called me,
Saying that Mom is dying.
She told him "I'm glad."

Called to talk with Mom,
She said she's ready to go
When her last breath comes.

Said "I love you Mom"
And she said "I love you Todd."
Perhaps our last words.

What's for Lunch?

Ate a bowl of soup,
Chicken potato curry,
A great tasting lunch.

Dreamland

What does this dream mean?
Two woman friends stole my house
And held an art sale.


Caught them in the act,
Warned them not to sell my stuff,
And watch out for thieves.


Don't know what happened
because I woke up early
To write this poem.

Correct Diagnosis?

Back to the doctor
to diagnosis the fevers,
Caused by rash on leg?


Antibiotics
take on the skin infection
From the inside out.

Unknowns

Another fever
last night after a good day,
Time for the doctor?

Cornucopia

Out for a burger
and french fries with my sweetie,
Feel nearly normal.

Night Sweat

Spiked a night fever,
Today muscle aches and pain,
Go soak in the tub!

Where to next?

Taking our picture
to renew a lapsed passport,
Make some travel plans!

An Overdue Honor

Eighty-nine years old,
An American hero,
Honored peacemaker.

Edgar Peara Receives French Legion of Honor, April 14, 2011

Let It Be

That awareness heals
is a fundamental truth,
Welcome in what is.

Reading Ezra Bayda - Beyond Happiness

On the way to the Post Office

A shiny penny
in the middle of the street,
Who will pick it up?

The Point

Reside in what is,
The point is to be aware,
Be fully present.

Reading Ezra Bayda - Beyond Happiness

First Sighting

On grape hyacinth,
A hummingbird sips nectar,
An early breakfast.

Afternoon Respite

Sipping my coffee,
Eating a pumpkin muffin,
Basking in sunshine.

Do What?

To just be present
Surrendering to what is,
Doing sweet nothing!

Reading Ezra Bayda - Beyond Happiness

Spring Into Winter?

Ruby red rhodies,
Hundreds of flowers in bloom,
Snow in the forecast!

Sun Seekers

Petals opening,
Pink magnolia blossoms
Reaching for the sun.

Demorepublicrats

Government shutdown?
Politics of Washington
Where no one listens.

Ugly Ball

Watching basketball,
Final game of March Madness,
Worst I've ever seen!

Early Birds

5:40 a.m.
What woke me up so early?
"Gobble-gobble" songs.

Spring Morning

Breezy Saturday,
Sunshine breaking through the clouds,
Trillium in bloom.

April Fools Day

March gave us a bath.
Will April bring more sunshine?
First tulips blooming!

Caught

What blocks happiness?
When caught in the thinking mind,
Regretting your Past.


What blocks happiness?
When caught in the thinking mind,
Seeking the Future.

(More from Ezra Bayda in Beyond Happiness)

Accept Others (and Yourself)

Where do we all end?
Death -- the great equalizer.
Get over ourselves!

(Reading Guy Kawasaki's Enchantment, The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions)

Are You Happy?

What is happiness?
It's not what you are feeling,
Nor is it a goal.

Happiness starts with
generosity of heart,
And being present.

(Reading Ezra Bayda's Beyond Happiness)

Taking a Break

Through the window glass,
Looking across the river,
Bikers cruise the trail.

Tax Time

Working on taxes,
Plugging in all the numbers.
Getting a refund!

Little Boys on a Mission

My first boyhood friend
recalled childhood memories
I had forgotten.


At the age of four,
determined to get cookies,
Two boys ran to Grandma's.


Going the wrong way, 
They didn't get to Grandma's,
Neighbors caught them first.


What were they thinking?
Just to get Grandma's cookies,
Boys know what they want!

How were they punished?
To your room without dinner,
Which Mom brought later.

After sixty years,
Two "old boys" eat their dinner,
Thinking of cookies.

Rinpoche IV

Meditation is
non-judgmental awareness --
Watch your thoughts come and go.

More March Madness

Butler Bulldogs win!
Live for a Saturday game.
Can they win again?

Rinpoche III

Just notice your thoughts.
There are no good or bad thoughts,
there are only thoughts.

A Walk in the Sunshine

Narcissus in bloom,
Pink and red camellias,
Flowering delights!

Rinpoche II

The mind is active
like the ocean making waves,
Your thoughts just come up.

Birds of the Season

Turkeys gobbling,
Another sign of Springtime
Or Thanksgiving Day?

Birds Remembered

Robins are singing
Memories of long ago,
Beginning of Spring.

Round Ball Marathon

Watching "March Madness,"
more buzzer-beaters today,
And a few blow-outs.

March Round Ball

Basketball madness,
Tournament games have begun,
Who beats the buzzer?

More Signs of Spring

Light purple flowers,
Rhododendrons in full bloom,
Spring is on its way.

Hints of Spring

Through the window glass
Tree branches with rosy buds,
Pink blossoms next week!

On the Rise

River still rising,
Will it overflow its banks?
More rain on the way.

Stormy March

Rain blowing sideways,
Tree branches litter the streets,
Driving toward home.

End of Long Illness

Walking in the sun
Holding hands with my sweetheart,
Together at last.

Reunion After 55 Years

I received a note
from my first boyhood "best" friend,
Coming in two weeks!

Oregon Spring

Trees are blossoming,
Buds are bursting pink and white
While the rain keeps falling!

Gratitude Prayer

Thank you for this day,
Thank you for all that I love,
Thank you for my life.

Bedtime

I'm getting sleepy,
Haven't written a poem.
This is it today.

Life Lesson

Starting where you are,
not where you would like to be,
Gives your life meaning.

Daily Rituals

Repetitive acts . . .
Are they a waste of your time
Or your saving grace?

Neverending Noise

The sound in my head
constantly screams in my ears,
No silent moments.

Longing

Her cough lingers on,
No intimacy for weeks.
Missing our kisses.

Watching Oregon Art Beat

Hearing Robert Bly
read his poem reminds
Me of my boyhood home.

Early Morning

Five o'clock wake-up,
Train whistles in the distance,
Railroad reveille.

Tyranny of Time - III

What's left? "The present."
The present moment is now,
That instant of "now."

(Note:  See the last two haiku for reference)

Tyranny of Time - II

What is "the future"?
A thought passing through your mind,
Just an idea.

Tyranny of Time - I

What about "the past"?
The past is a memory,
Just an idea.

Rinpoche

Subject and object,
Dissolving the distinction --
Meditation's task.

Winter Lingers

No snow fall today,
but icy cold comes tonight.
Time to cover up!

Wonderland

Wet snow covers trees,
Branches stacked with white blankets,
Winter's last hurrah!

More Winter

Winter storm warning --
Snow flurries coming today,
A cold chill tonight.

Smile

Pink blossoming trees
Surprise me this cold morning,
Winter turns to Spring.

Where "Sin" Begins (reading K. Norris)

Our bad thoughts are real.
Check out any newspaper,
they lead to bad acts.

Listen

Whose voice do you hear?
A voice outside or within?
Listen to your own.

Over-used

Of all the phrases
"at the end of the day" is
annoying drivel.

February Opening

First signs of springtime,
the daffodils are blooming.
Crocuses are too!

Celebrate!

Happy Birthday lunch,
Eating Thai pumpkin curry.
One of life's pleasures.

Discerning

"We are not our thoughts."
Yet, take measure of your thoughts.
Thoughts come ... and thoughts go.

Visioning

First look and listen,
Listen to your mind and heart.
Hear your soul's clear voice.

Mother Love

Blinded by regret,
She does not hear the guilt-trips --
Manipulated.

Body Wisdom

To achieve balance,
Don't push against your body,
Just follow its lead.

Watch Your Words!

All of our complaints
At best are crap attractors.
Think before you speak!

Sleeping Life

Your dreams are your dreams.
Your snoring is your snoring.
They come ... and they go.

Waking Life

Your thoughts are your thoughts,
Your feelings are your feelings,
They come ... and they go.

Revolution?

Chaos in Egypt,
Protesters march in the streets,
No clear end in site.

Lost Poem

Forgotten haiku,
Nowhere to be found today,
Write one tomorrow.

Night Music

The sound of rain drops
Falling on the wooden deck,
Music for sleeping.

Who Gives A Shit (said Anita)

Super Bowl Sunday,
Packers against the Steelers,
May the best team win.

Reading "The Joy of Living"

Be an observer,Without interrupting thoughts.
Non-meditation.

Rest in awareness,
Give attention to your mind. 
Meditation. 

Reading "Acedia & me""

Unable to care,
Cannot feel bad about that.
Acedia's worst.

Boredom ... a blessing?
Time to be alone with God.
Pure and simple gift.