From the cold distance
of rigid thought
barring the way
to the beloved,
life urges return.
Isolation suffers
a severe price,
the withdrawal of love
injuring the heart
in its link to joy.
Return to grace,
life calls from
the broad horizon
and deep flowing sea,
to the fountain of healing
and light for the soul.
Let the dark stranger pass,
the dismantler of dreams.
Choose now the path
where forgiveness guides
and welcome the return
to the place where you live.
photograph by Javier Aragon
Reading of “The Return” with music by Keola Beamer
“From the cold distance of rigid thought”…this tells the whole story of our alienation from each other, from nature and from life itself!
Don, this is needed advice: for me, certainly, and for the entire country. In packing for our westward move, by the way, I came across your Slender Arrow book of poems and enjoyed several, especially the one about men gathered for conversation, before tucking the volume in the box for transit.
This poem is amazingly pertinent to my current situation. Funny how solace arrives in unexpected packages.
Very beautifully written, Don, clothing an experience like my own…returning again and again to the oneness of all life, living, LIVING, in my heart!
Exquisite words, golden. Open heart, open mind, the religion of forgiveness, and kindness. That is where I choose to reside. Thank you.
Hello Don: we all run into these vague barriers, an our progress comes to a slow down. Good! now we can wise up, move out of the confusion and once again come into our true place on earth. We are here to be a beacon, a light unto the path. And we sense what needs to happen and we open the door once again. Others need to see a way forward. and we offer the wise word with feeling. God Bless all of the workers.
Don, your words speak of redemption, the pathway to healing, the invitation to return to the lightness of Being. Thank you. I love this poem!
Thank you for the exquisite feelings of joy that flow in this poem, Don. Forgiveness unlocks these from deep in the soul. What a wonder to be moved so deeply with you and many to the Place we know so well.
Yes!
A poem for the Ages.
Thank you, Don.
A most joyous and beautiful poem, Don! I am grateful!
Don- Beautiful poems and sunsets. You are blessed to live on the ocean.