Somewhere east
a Navajo man greets the sun
and north an Inuit woman
chews on a sealskin,
both remembering the giver of life;
an old immigrant rides the subway
alone in his thoughts amidst the crowd,
disheveled and isolate yet in touch
with the spirits of the underground;
two women return to the farm of their youth,
a young boy feels his manhood rising
and an old man walks the earth,
one foot aching, his head up
with eyes scanning the distant sea,
greeting Her in the early light
with the fondness of a lover.
The temple is vast,
the worshipers few
yet all connected by the web
that holds them,
ever in place
and ready to welcome
the returning.
Wonderful images, Don….pristine!
Yes, it is hard to live a reverent life amidst so much worldly turmoil, yet it is the only thing that keeps us sane and brings us through. Thank you for naming this so elegantly… we walk the same silent shore.
Global… Heart landscape… The living web… The pulse of life connects us all… Just as a forest breathes together in & out… Your words, Don, catch the primal pulse, the essence of our shared heart…
This poem is beautifully cinematic: precise images placed on the page and in the mind in a clear choreographry that builds to your final insight.
Only images so rooted in the earthly can emit this much light. Magnificent poem, Don.
Having similar thoughts and feelings here in Cyprus Don……and realizing the gifts everyone brings, in their suffering or their joy…….you capture this essence stuff so well here……
I love all that beauty that emanates from Estes Park gathering of the luminonuis spirits transcending mere space so the universe may be filled with love to hold tenderly the pain and sorrow of beings needing transcedence. Hold in lovingkindness all beings. Say their names and remember.
Don, I am reminded of Rumi with this poem, “the Temple is vast the worshippers few…held by the web..ready to welcome the returning.” What a lovely reminder that Love holds it all together, ever ready for our return. So appreciate your inspiration.
The nobility in this poem is a reminder to me that there is more to life than my particular circumstance. How I tend to my small part will determine if that honor is enhanced. I choose the honorable path.
Thank you, Don. I know fellow worshipers by their stance, under-girded by their actions. Spiritual warriors, male and female. I sing a blessing song to each one.
I certainly can’t add anything to the insightful comments of others; I will say simply I am moved. Thank you.
Magical love – makings, thank you.
Thanks for this “visual” attunement, Don.
Yes, the sacred in the ordinary – we are all connected through that.
Powerful images, Don, thank you.