February 28

Outside of Coopersmith’s restaurant and bar in old town square, Fort Collins, a group of professors, students, artists and citizens watched as a man was aggravated into a manic rage by Fort Collins police officers. The man was African American, every single one of the ten or so police officers was white, the bystanders were Chicano, Latino, African American, white, Japanese american, and of other ethnic identity. Should these racial differences make any difference in the type of power delegated within our society? Should they be anything but celebrations of beautiful, elegant and compassionate diversity? No. Tonight though, we were all reminded that so many are living in the delusions of racial superiority – are slaves to racism. And in their lustful and unending greed for control and domination over illusion, they spoke lies – and in their wavering tones, became aware of the illusory power to which they cling, like a dying, desperate war criminal grasping as his beliefs topple and he draws his final breath. The others stood together, unified in peace and human justice, treating each other with compassion and generosity. Between the police and the man they were enslaving, and the witnesses was a void of silence. It was as the candle flame that sucks the oxygen out of the air, extinguishing itself – where space and time are forgotten and cease to be, and only the beating hearts of all exist, pumping blood through the cold, night air. And the sadness of those who identified with what we saw, heads hanging, defenseless and vulnerable against everything around them – and the identification with one other – in our humanity. And in the air, a sadder sound – the breaking of hearts. And in its breaking a silence and a deep inner darkness until the breath and the release, and the feeling of compassion, laughter and power. The inspiration and absolute joy of knowing your sisters and brothers are standing by your side and love you from the depths of their bleeding, broken hearts.

spring snow

the snow falling

through the light

of orange street lamps

makes me happy

once again

deep breath

the heartbeat

an icicle

melting

above

water

two moments

speaking of

Nepal

thinking of

Mountain lion

cave

substance

a vase

overflowing

with

emptiness

realization

we are not

connected by light

it is the means for

awareness

we know because

of the great invisible

energy

from which all arose

blue horizon

the blue sky

of the dawn

before the sun

breaks the horizon

stars and

black sky

fading

ditch song

a stone amidst

stones

in ancient mud

dry now

settling

shades on

snow

two beings

expressed

amidst

millions of

blades of

rustling golden

grass

sun above

the rise

touching wind

big wind

blew leaves

clouds now

moving gently

slow

too much

happening

to record.

1/7

eyes open

light

in

the shadows

all radiating

energetic

light

wishing for the enlightenment

of others – their happiness -

freedom from suffering – joy

realizing relative solidity

no solidity

seeking infinite light

generating bodichitta

illuminating my being

calm pond

dark stars

a stone dropped

concentric rings

vibrate outward

reflecting stars

an outward journey

an inward collapse

a silence

January 18

       pictures on the wall

family

smiling faces

the dog licks his foot

my water glass on the table

suffering around the world

eyes closed

a breath

a miracle

a voice, a sighing voice

a light shining from a lamp in the corner

in another corner there is another lamp

across from me

an empty chair

I do not feel alone

but entirely complete

content

with the miracle

of breath