i close my eyes
and just breathe…
it’s peaceful here,
floating down this
stream of thought.
it begins to wind
thru lost valleys
and forgotten forests,
even as they fade
once again into
the soothing mists
of timelessness.
i catch a glimpse
of myself ahead;
i think to wave,
but we both know
that peace of mind
is to be had here,
so we breathe,
just breathe…
–photo by me
now the geese are gathering
from fields all around;
they’re all wound up and blathering–
it’s quite an awful sound,
but soon they will be traveling,
no longer to be found,
for summer is unraveling–
it’s off to southern ground!
–photo by me
i step outside
to check the smoke;
it stings my eyes
and burns my throat,
but what’s been done
to the sun is even
more troublesome:
it’s become
bubble gum.
–photo by me
mother earth’s resistance
and father time’s persistence
in opposition forge
a gorgeous river gorge
–photo by me
our souls are like barns–
the more weathered they become,
the more beautiful
–photo by me
what do you do when you’re out for some air,
and suddenly you’re face to face with a bear?
please do not flee
he’s faster than you
do not climb a tree
he’s a good climber too
and do not play dead
or it may become true
despite what you read
there’s nothing to do
but send up a prayer, and give up those plans;
when facing a bear, it’s out of your hands.
–photo by me
The great white limousine
Rolled down the road to Destiny,
And in it sat four revered men
Of great authority.
Religion and Tradition graced
The seat that faced the rear,
While in the back with Science
Sat Philosophy so near.
Now when the road became so
Rough that forward progress slowed,
Philosophy said, “Gentlemen,
Let’s try another road.”
“I think he’s right,” said Science,
Shuffling papers on his lap,
“I’ve been collecting data,
And I’ve made a little map.”
Religion would not hear of it,
“‘Tis blasphemy!” said he,
“For God himself has set us on
This road to Destiny.”
“Religion’s right,” Tradition chimed,
“It’s been agreed upon.”
And as they argued endlessly,
The limousine rolled on.
And in the end, their driver,
Who was named Necessity,
Would find that he would have to
Choose the road to Destiny.
–Photo by me
there once
was a self-righteous man
who built
himself a tall, open tower
from which
he would peer out over
his world
to search for his soul.
every day,
he would climb the stairs
and scour
the heavens for it;
sometimes,
he felt it was near.
in time,
it was too much for him,
and the
self-righteous man died.
in silence,
his soul flew from the roof
–photo by me
before telling a joke,
you must get it;
after breaking a bone,
you must set it;
before bathing a cat,
you must pet it;
after writing a poem,
you must edit.
–photo by me
your neighbor’s eye is fixed on you
for she’s intrigued by all you do
so don’t get mad and call her out
but give her ‘things’ to talk about
and then take solace in the thought
that you can do ‘things’ she cannot
so start the show and have some fun
before your audience of one
–photo by me
michaeljordahl 