Smoke rises into clear skies,
the morning cool and bright.
Yesterday’s weight drops
like a long heavy train
uncoupled from the engine of desire.
Thankful for the deeper healing,
I rise from dark rooted soil
wet with winter’s love,
to greet this day, open
like a myrtle tree in spring.
Thank you, Don — My Biblical references are few and far between these days, but one of my enduring favorite chapters, Isaiah 55, echoes your message:
“Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Spring is blossoming early this year as Red Bud trees display their pretty pink flowers and white Narcissus with yellow centers open up everywhere. Your poem reminds me that uncoupling from the “engine of desire” takes an unnecessary burden off of my shoulders. Desire for anything. Even the end to mass shootings. Even the realization of my dreams and fulfillment of my mission here on earth. Let my desire be for one thing only: attunement and union with the LORD’S desire and his Lady’s passion to create beauty on this planet wherever they greeted with open hearts and minds and willing bodies. Thank you for the beauty you continues faithfully to create in your poetry, Don. Much love.
I can only underline what has been responded, except that I am presently in a 3 day snow storm at 20F, that is beautifying an otherwise ugly mining city, silently poisoning it’s children.
Uncoupling “…from the engine of desire…” is central to the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path. As I near my 65th birthday, I’m noticing both the immense weights of yesterdays which I’ve collected over the decades and the freeing power of choice to uncouple from them…and…even the power to stay uncoupled in the present moment. May all beings (animal, plant and human) be free.
Thanks so much Don.
Don, the myrtle tree carries a unique presence and apparently only grows in a few places on earth,one being here in Oregon. If you pick a leaf from the tree and rub it between your hands it emits a “eucalyptus-like” fragrance that is unmistakable and delightful. a gift from Gaia!
Right on, Don! Uncoupled, abandoned to the deeper healing, surrendered and open to the cool brightness of the New Day. Thank you. db