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author’s note:
Another drop.
NOT EVANESCENT
Lao Tzu said
the Ancient Sages
were as evanescent
as icicles.
How can that be?—
according to the dictionary
“evanescent” means:
here one moment and gone the next.
But ages have passed
and the words of the sages still live.
I can’t expect the same good fortune
so as my icicle dwindles down
drop…by drop…by drop…by drop
I’m trying to come to terms with the loss
by repeating these lines to myself:
after I’m gone
whatever I’ve given
(whatever that may be)
will remain in our well—
perhaps hidden underground
but there, nonetheless.
Get the Message: a short guide for understanding dreams
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
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© 2024, Michael R. Patton
author’s note:
I’ve met two people who were once knocked unconscious.
Both felt they benefited from the experience.
HOPE FOR THE FALLEN
A wise one once said:
the fire that flares up
soon burns out.
Was she talking about my nation?
Maybe she was talking about the two of us.
That wise one also said:
those who don’t stop to look
to see where they’re going
soon fall and hit their heads.
Was she talking about the two of us?
Maybe she was talking about our nation.
Or maybe
she was talking about the other day
when I tripped
and landed hard on the hard ground.
But as I regained my senses
I suddenly remembered
the night I feared I’d freeze
but then found a small ember
in a big pile of ashes
and built a fire that lasted ’til morning.
I may still be a fool
but at least now I know
not to give up hope.
Get the Message: a short guide for understanding dreams
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton
author’s note: Poet, Heal Thyself: poetry book
Physician, heal thyself.
— Luke 4:23
FABLE OF THE WOMAN WHO SAVED A WOUNDED BIRD
Years ago, a young girl
tried and failed
to save a dying bird chick.
A sincere effort.
But what she didn’t know was:
she saw herself in that bird.
Later
she decided to help save human beings
by becoming a nurse.
A sincere aspiration.
But what she didn’t know was:
in so many faces
she saw that dying bird chick.
Later
after witnessing so much death
she decided to help save human beings
by ascending to the pulpit.
A sincere aspiration.
But what she didn’t know was:
she now hoped to save
that dying bird chick
by saving its soul.
Over the years, she received much praise
for her work as a preacher and nurse.
Nonetheless
she still felt a vague malaise.
Finally, in desperation
she asked her mirror
what the problem was
and then
in the reflection looking back
she saw that dying bird chick.
From that point on
she became her own patient.
From that point on
she became her own flock.
Later, she returned
to the twin tasks of tending
to the bodies and spirits
of wounded human beings.
But now her aspirational efforts
produce even better results
and though she doesn’t say
she knows the reason why:
People who want to open
but don’t trust
may open
when they experience
a server who lives in peace—
someone who has saved
her own bird chick.
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton
author’s note: This poem was indeed “ripped from the headlines”. THE SOUL IN CORWIN’S EYE The headline read: "No Win for Corwin". and below, a photo showed the pitcher sitting at the end of a hardwood bench his head lowered his shoulders slumped his tears hidden in the darkness of a baseball glove. The article said young Corwin had struck out thirteen batters but his good work had all been for naught-- spoiled by one bad pitch he’d made way back in the first inning. Rough, yes but maybe that loss will help prepare Corwin for an adult life that often contradicts what so many stories tell us which is: if we try for redemption we’ll be rewarded at the end with a victory celebration. Because we accept that belief early on life can seem so unjust later on. But I don’t want that sense of defeat so I’ve adopted a different belief which is: our greatest victories are usually only known by angels and gods-- they can see the unseen they can see the soul. But sometimes we humans also see the soul-- the soul shows itself in subtle ways. For instance: if I focus I may detect a clearer light coming from your eye-- a beam that says this soul has definitely grown.
Common Courage: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2022, Michael R. Patton
Michael Patton
sky rope (subterranean rappel) 