A Question

The fisherman looks at the flowing river.

The fish can evaluate three lines.

What is the art of fishing?

The catch or the waiting?

A Question

The adventurous portrait of my longing

The green leaves turn brown, the chilling wind

The shadows spread riddles from the sun

Distinguishing the passage of time

Songs all different can blend in harmony

Conquering doubts and afflictions

To seek, to find, to end all wanderings

But what is love that love challenges life

Is not praise enough without surrender?

O mystery.

Rare time when snow arrives in Napa Valley

Focus

High tide flows upstream

breezy, no fisherman

but a white heron

Walkers navigate

puddles and mud 

heron looks away

Photographer freezes

one eye looking 

focus, myself saying

Who is watching who?

no one moves

or breathes

Beginning

February 4, 2023

Good morning.

First day of my Sabbath Project

I’m a beginner. A believer? Not yet. A faithful? Oh, no. Far from it.

What is the sudden reversal?

The mystical women of the Middle Ages. I’ll start with St. Clare of Assisi and Mechthild of Magdeburg.

What’s Sabbath Project? Getting up at 8am. Meditation for half hour. 

Musing

The failed experiment will not be a singular experience

could be wide with ramifications

is it unusual to have unhappiness early in life

and to have fullness of life later?

Sighting an uncommon bird

will be peculiar day.

a point of celebration.

The jellyfish dance,

glitter in the night

Walking in Festival of Lights

After the Rain

When I am having obscure feelings

When my neighbors start their monumental discussions

When you feel giddy

I hold the chairs with both hands

Plant my feet strongly

Breath deep and regular

The flood will recede

The forest will bloom again

I have been nudging my reluctant imagination

Offer alternatives, new ideas

Rare excursions to simplify playful musings

During all these days of rain

My memories are filled with orchids, mushrooms, migrating birds

Of intelligent fish and butterflies

Of praying mantis, of rabbits

I want allowances for distractions 

Without being detained, a few moments 

To clear my mind

The artistic practice to fail better

The waiting and unhurried way to find my shoes

And myself like a new beginning

I want to sing to you

Hike and dance our way

To the mountain.

These photos are taken from walk to the river during the last 3 days.

The present books I’m reading: Super-Infinte, The Transfomation of John Donne by Katherine Rundell

Shirley Hazzard, A Writing Life byBrigitta Olubas

How To Live or A Life of Montaigne by Sarh Bakewell

December Twenty Six

at sunrise

a bird leaves

its perch

a tree painted blue

a wind chime hangs from a branch

a bird sings from faraway

a mother looks at her child

imagines colors of her voice

the sun recedes behind the mountains

she adjusts the aperture

takes all the photos

a long story begins

yesterday

a snowstorm

a child was born

Splendor

She sits

Like a word 

On the riverbank

In silence

A new world

Of consequences

Other creatures, hidden

Watch her

Benevolent eyes

Like angels

Her mind, not oscillating

Or imagination, captured

Nothing breaks, not a stone

Or falls, not a leaf

They calmly accept her

Her being.

Tiny Musing

I mistake a falling leaf for a bird,

A bird for a thought that flies past my eyes

I am watching the tide flows upstream

I solve today’s Wordle.

Attentiveness

Can the flowers hear

Do butterflies whisper their wishes

I’m alone walking along a forest path

My hair shines in the sun

You can follow me

Wherever you are

I pace my steps

Aware of watchful eyes

I’m reluctant to stray from the path

The mountain may shake

Obliterate my awareness

Dictionary may not suffice

The majesty in scarcity

Can elevate my expectations

Tomorrow I will start early

Inaugurate a new attentiveness.

note: It’s invigorating to be able to walk to the river again. I met a lot of walkers walking their dogs or their friend’s dogs. The air is clear and the sky is blue. Simple things.