Firefly racing with the dolphins

From the first chapter “The Search”, a few poems are highlighted. Deep Depression highlights a path of healing that comes from deep within.

Part of nature, of holding on.
Of deeds, past and present.
Of memories now, and ones gone.
Ego and thoughts make a deeper dent.

So, smile and go on, deserve it.
Ups and downs, roll with them.
Observe the lamp already lit,
Deep within, is your own shining gem.

From Covid Rain, written in the early months of the pandemic in 2020, the author shares the mood and thoughts experienced by many.

Rainy all week, this Covid rain.
Washing over buildings, roads, and home.
We keep scrubbing hands, feel this pain,
Will the virus finding none, stop its roam?

Staying home, checking social media.
Religious events have come and gone.
Jokes, repeat posts, no new ideas!
COVID news from dusk till dawn.

From Firefly, a poem written in 1980, when a firefly made its presence in the dark night at the bedroom:

Firefly, Firefly,
Truly I wonder why,
In this world, full of grief.
You are so bright, and so brief.

In May Music envelope me, the poem previews the healing power of words and music. So let one delve deep into this healing avenue.

Much to learn and practice, this knowledge new.
To make a difference, perhaps in most but a few.
Envelope with music, as nature does with morning dew.

A few poems for preview from the second chapter, Searching Within, follow. From Blessing are the following words:

Death of the body, grief, sadness.
The soul never dies, never, they say.
Prayers, thoughts, faithfulness.
An effort to feel deep, to find a way.

From Galaxy, another poem, are these two stanzas shared:

Let me find the wind, all-powerful,
The one that churns the water.
Of heaven and Yang so masterful,
And water in yin, former or latter.

Let me experience dance,
Cowboy up or Cupid shuffle.
Feel the courage, take a chance.
Play the music loud, not a muffle.

The Visit, a poem written from dreams, includes these words:

Now a presence, a dreamy vision.
A Blessing, life lessons, a mission.

What will happen, will always happen.
Journeys of moving on, remains then.

The Search Outside contains many poems within the third chapter. Shared in the preview is this stanza from “Rediscovering my voice, my story”:

I feel the deep pain, a wounded healer;
Your stories here, couldn't have come sooner.
The sheer honesty, your giving nature;
Your help in guiding this storyteller.

My spirit within, another poem from this chapter, depicts another dive deep into consciousness:

I grow within, thinking, contemplating.
My thoughts and opinions, express or rein in.
Knowledge, they say, is useless tinsel.
Without devotion, chime that bell.

Let my consciousness grow inward,
For me to see magnificence outward.
Oh Lord of this Universe, of all kin.
Help me as I stir my spirit within.

After the rain, was another poem written in 1980, during a home visit to see a patient:

I walked over the hill, under shady trees.
Hearing cattle moo and singing bees.
Until I finally reached the man in pain,
It was just after the rain!!

From “Peace and Happiness”, the fourth chapter in the book, poem Golden light is previewed, and the words that flowed during the writing of the poem:

The golden light within, shining
At all times, from birth to death, beyond.
In deep sleep, in waking and dreaming,
Do go back in, envision a stronger bond.

The mystery of this life, meaning.
The same for them, you and me.
The deep trust to keep forming,
The golden light shining so brightly.

Another poem “No thoughts, my reverie” was occupying the space between thoughts and thoughtlessness:

Roses and bees, gently taking their lick.
Portioned, no greed, as they dart and pick.

Thoughtless, absorbing it all in,
The oneness, without and within.

This joy and peace, all in a big gulp,
As thoughts arise again, breaking it all up.

“Poetry and pain management”, written at a poetry workshop at the Hospice & Palliative Annual Assembly at Chicago, had these words:

So, I hope to ease my pain and yours.
Know that there are no rules or laws.
Just you and me, to relax and trust.
The healing comes, like magic dust!

“American Journeys” is the concluding and final chapter, poems written at different cities are shared. Alaska is previewed here:

Thundering sounds of crashing glacier,
Calves in the ocean, floating iceberg melts.
Sounds of seagull, seal, blowing whale, to hear.
Alaska, of wondrous beauty, memories so dear.

“Chicago sky” was written while still flying over, and during landing later in the evening:

Chicago, of large expansive land.
Of glorious sky and large water.
Deep under the snow, your gritty sand.
Your open heart, windy howling laughter.

“Doheny State Beach”, a poem written at Dana Point, Southern California, depicts happiness:

The happiness in all, felt and seen.
The water, ocean, trees, birds, fish.
Sharing the One. Unfiltered, same.
This strip of beach in my view.
Doheny state beach. Always.
Unchanging. Peace. Love.

Glacier thoughts, and the poem previewed here, during the visit to Alaska:

Mendenhall, Hubbard, many a glacier name.
Sustaining Alaskan life for another thousand years.
Receding, new forests form. Never the same!
Moss over rock, dead trees. Stories one never hears.

“Minneapolis burning” and few words from the poem, depict the difficult days of the pandemic and social distress:

Over hundred thousand dead this year,
The country is reeling, far from healing.
Impatience bursting, hard to bear.
As Minnesota, Minneapolis is burning.

“Snowmass wonder” written at Colorado and the words shared here describe the beauty of Aspen:

Driving, walking, biking, listening, watching.
Taking in the splendor and beauty, then writing.
Colorado, Aspen, Snowmass!
Your beauty is difficult to surpass.