Second Half Of Life

 I find this to be truer as each day passes.

 I hope to die with only my robe and sandals 

as possessions;

Loving and human, 

and I would add living, 

(as in plants and trees)

are most deeply desired

but cannot be collected.

We are bestowed with those...

treasures beyond measure.

kastilwell

Wildflowers

 Deep gratitude for those 

"free and imperfect scattered souls.

Those mighty and steadfast champions of light."

Right now, in celebration of fields and ditches filled with

Joe Pye, Ironweed, and Goldenrod bouquets.

kastilwell

 

Courage, Strength and a Sense of Humor

True wisdom.  

May we all find

courage, strength and humor

amidst the suffering.

kastilwell

 

Benevolent Skilled Communities

 I'm in!  Let's do it.  

Who wants to join me?

kastilwell

Never Stop Loving

 These words are what I aspire to, with all my heart.  

While slippage does occur from time to time,

I will continue to make being brave and kind

my practice and my goal.  

I will continue to seek real unity

even when it seems hopeless.

kastilwell

Hard Work = Wealth?

She is barefoot. 

Riding a bike with at least one flat tire;

while stabilizing three small children;

plus a load of wood tied to the back;

and a giant bucket of water;

perched atop her head.

Talk about a balancing act!

(I'm certain there's no 401K.)

I've seen people juggle priorities

but this goes way beyond.

Next time you hear someone say

they just need to work harder, 

and it will pay off,

think of her.  

kastilwell

 

Packing Light

Arundhati Roy

Ready to imagine another world?

Another invitation to practice the power of imagining.

This is a dose of motivation.

Can we rectify the mistakes we humans have made?

Can we reverse the course we're on?

May the answer be yes.

May we all "see" a new way.

kastilwell

 

The Environment

One shot of yesterday's daybreak sky.

I have a whole series of the magnificence

on display overhead for us yesterday.

And, as I suspect every photographer knows,

there is no way to give justice to the splendor.

May we all remember 

who we are and where we are.

May we remember how precious

and fragile life is.

May we honor all that 

gives us life

in particular,

this astonishing universe.

kastilwell

The Willingness To See

 I've always admired people

who are gifted with wild imaginations.

(J.K. Rowling comes to mind.)

Although its not something

automatic for me, as I tend toward "realism",

(with a touch of somber or melancholy)

practicing the art of imagination

to see things more playfully

feels like a helpful endeavor.

kastilwell

The Artist

 Overcoming resistance 

and ignoring the voice of doubt

are two worthwhile ambitions.

It is encouraging to remember

art is in the soul 

(however you define soul)

of the artist and NOT in

the eye of the beholder.

It's not about production.

It's about self revelation.

It's the discovery you

make about who you are.

That's what matters.

kastilwell

Don't let it get inside you

 I should tattoo this on my forehead.

Allowing water into my boat

happens more often than I care to admit.

However, I am bailing it out

and not letting it sink the vessel.

kastilwell

Swallowing Music

 

I was so happy to encounter this lovely gem today.

Swallowing music, 

knock out roses with one-two punches,

and/or pulling the sinking sun into your solar plexus.

Exquisite eloquence.

kastilwell

How Our Needs Shape Us

 This quote has been in the queue

for quite some time 

waiting for what feels like the right time.

Not sure why that seems to be now.

It has ignited much inner reflection

on the needs I am aware of,

as well as those that remain hidden.

It seems like something worthwhile

to carry along with me as

life unfolds.  

kastilwell

Opening of Eyes Long Closed

It occurs to me this is 

another way to describe

a "catastrophe of grace".

kastilwell

 

Catastrophe of Grace

May you be bestowed with

many "catastrophes of grace".

May they become memories,

strung like pearls, 

sparkling around your heart;

May they be touchstones

for the difficult times.

And remembrances of joy.

kastilwell

 

Moments of Extraordinary Clarity

 The idea of finding extraordinary clarity 

beneath the surface of things, intrigues me greatly.

kastilwell

Taking Your Somewhere You Never Thought of Going

I love the idea of art "taking me somewhere I've never thought of going."

It changes the way I look at the empty page in front of me.

Where are we going today?

Then listening for the answer instead of imposing

my "to do" list upon the matter.

kastilwell

 

Fitting Together

I am finding that regardless

of how far afield I may travel

searching for meaning and usefulness

as I inhabit this terminal terrain

called being alive,

I spiral back to poetry.

kastilwell

So Much Depends Upon

 "So much depends upon paying attention...

Solitude knits itself round you,

Silence is stitched to your bones...

Gorgeous words 

"One breath leads to the next"...

The ebb and flow,

the warp and weft,

the waxing and waning.  

The gathering in; 

and the letting go.

The relentless slash 

of letting go.

kastilwell

Earth Music

 "Between heart-pulse and light's shadow-touch, 

I will lead you to the quiet abundance of silence,

the wide emptying of voiceless things; earth's pulse,

seamless and somewhere beyond absence."

Oh, the exquisite astonishment to

see/hear someone find the words

to describe something I

haven't been able to articulate.

That is the wonder of language.

The "magic" of translation.

Though it can't be captured completely,

it's close enough to bring me to tears.

kastilwell

I Have Waited-Binn E'adair

 "This moment is already time's fugitive."  

Isn't it so, how the precious, significant moments

steal away so swiftly, you question their existence. 

In retrospect.

Joy is like that.

Fleeting and astonishing.

A spark among the gray clad, ordinary hours.

May we learn to harbor it with care 

and supreme gratitude.

kastilwell

Thin Places

 

Oh how delightful it is 

to encounter a poetess

who makes my heart sing!

It fills me with awe and wonder

and puts me into

"the quiet whispering,

the unspeakable tenderness."

kastilwell