In many parts of this world water is
Scarce and precious.
People sometimes have to walk
A great distance
Then carry heavy jugs upon their
Heads.
Because of our wisdom, we will travel
Far for love.
All movement is a sign of
Thirst.
Most speaking really says
"I am hungry to know you."
Every desire of your body is holy;
Every desire of your body is
Holy.
Dear one,
Why wait until you are dying
To discover that divine
Truth?

- Hafiz

There is peace here, where the river
widens to meet the sea. The rapids
are past; the boulders and the rocky
places at last give way to a broad
and sweeping current, flowing
slowly into vastness. The river
moves silently, tastes the salty tide
that marks its demise, and slips
without a backward glance, into
the ocean's infinite embrace.

- Danna Faulds

in memory of Amy Carroll

raw and beautiful period poetry.

listen if you dare.

What if our religion was each other
If our practice was our life
If prayer, our words.
What if the temple was the earth
If forests were our church
If holy water - the rivers, lakes, and oceans
What if meditation was our relationships
If the Teacher was life
If wisdom was self-knowledge
If love was the center of our being

~ Ganga White

This -- I said to Percy when I had left
our bed and gone
out into the living room couch where
he found me apparently doing nothing -- this
is called thinking.
It's something people do,
not being entirely children of the earth,
like a dog or a tree or a flower.

His eyes questioned such an activity.
"Well, okay," he said. "If you say so. Whatever
it is. Actually
I like kissing better."

And next to me,
tucked down his curly head
and, sweet as a flower, slept.

Percy (2002-2009) from Mary Oliver's "Dog Songs"

STARS

You are tired, friend.
Your body aches to rest.
Give in.
You have wanted to fall apart for so long.
To let go of your defences.
To be transparent and authentic.

Your cynicism has protected you.
Your fear has served you well.
Your dreams of enlightenment were beautiful dreams.
But there is no need to hold your 'self' together any longer.

Surrender.
Or simply stop pretending that you don't know 'how'.
Fail.
Fall.
The vastness will hold you.
Only illusions can disappear.

The deeper the heart breaks
The more love it can hold.

Don't tell me you are not worthy.
Don't tell me you are not made of stars.

- Jeff Foster www.lifewithoutacentre.com

Kiss your own fingertips
and hug your own curves.
You are made of waves and honey
and spicy peppers when it is necessary.
You are a goddess,
I hope you haven’t forgotten.

- Emery Allen