1.
I am far too human.
People confuse result with deed
act with perpetuator.
Never deny your intentions.
Discover them. They grow,
the seed of your focus. Provide
direction for every quantum of energy.
2.
My elegy is an imprint
combined with the spices found
stirred in memories.
Aromas, silky with history,
thieves of any moment,
they steal us back to the past.
Leave us yearning,
for it could have been better.
3.
Neither labor nor happenstance
make anything occur. Wood
for the fire never creates the flame.
Arsonist have no dreams
dance with pretense while
consuming the creation of another.
The first victim is always joy.
The first seed planted
always awakens
the possibility for her return.
4.
Results are capital.
We are left uncomfortable
feel we have not fed well,
when we try to feast on victories.
5.
My cold feet are your first complaint;
my warm heart is your favorite refuge.
I am rarely found either place.
A bright race with a brace of rocky bruises,
I dance down the face in a silver trace.
Gathered under the grace of shade,
a drift upon a fallen leaf’s rippled dance,
find me
the stillness
the glint of the sun
strikes my face.
6.
Being or beast --
hold on to me,
soul to soul,
find the wind full of dandelion snow.
12:40 PM • 7/1/09 • IAD Dulles, VA
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
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Tom,
I really like the way you have used vignettes here to show all the different lessons of the teacher. You always have a unique perspective on things, and I like your viewpoint, as always.
Thank you so much for writing this for the contest—I am very happy to read you.
Saffron
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For any teacher the courses never end, for every lesson leads to a larger question to be explored.
Thanks for the joy you bring, always.
Peace,
Tom B.
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Watch out for that dandelion snow (yellow!) "Don't eat the yellow snow", remember? Well, anyway. Loved the last line especially. Great job.
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Watch out where the huskies go.
Glad to leave you with a smile and memories of Zappa.
Tom B.
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A bright race with a brace of rocky bruises,
I dance down the face in a silver trace.
Gathered under the grace of shade,
a drift upon a fallen leaf’s rippled dance,
find me
I really liked those lines. This was a beautiful poem. Thank-you very much for entering this piece into my contest.
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Glad I could provide the pleasure.
Peace,
Tom B.
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oh..i enjoyed this poem a lot!
no over the top cliches simply beauty from your
ink and soul.
at peace with yourself...now I understand dandelion
souls!
thankyou for sharing this poem it's a beauty!
ears/seattle
apparently you've never seen me start a bonfire!
oh..i didn't mean to burn down his tent!
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I have come full circle it seems and growing is always part of the circle.
Life is its own revelation.
Love, Tom B.
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ah my first impression yen & yang because we all have one or the other..some of us have both showing a well balanced being...i adore how this echoes of still life...yet we can not expect more then one has to offer...you have shared with us YOU...I could almost feel you aura.....a beautiful personal touch............excellent write Tom....Novy
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Thanks Novy. Yes, this is a bit of a personal revelation and my many friends hear me dancing in and out of the images aroused by the words. For yes, I am all too human. Understanding is often the booby prize when trying to realize all you know. Glad you find such excellence in my simple verse.
Love,
Tom B.
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THIS IS SO YOU!
I have read this several times i can see so much of YOU in this write as a teacher. Which i have no doubt you are.
My favorite lines well hard to pick just one or two...but i must say the one i could say was you in all your glory was..
My cold feet are your first complaint;
my warm heart is your favorite refuge.
I am rarely found either place.
I have spoken with you on a personal level and yes your cold feet ...or delicate abruteness should i say is refreshing but stings in wisdom sometimes i don't want to hear.
Then i see the warmth of your soul that comforts with wonderful empathy.
I have studied my life with a great mentor and friend. smile.
You are rarely in eiather place you are a happy medium somewhere.
Everyone reads things diffrent i read this poem my way.
Love,
~Lisa P~
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I will admit that it might be a little bit personal
Of course you can read it however you will. Art lets you do that and never says you are wrong. It is wise to remain an enigma and not be a photograph.
Thank you for taking this one to your heart.
Love,
Tom B.
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Oh yes...
I read this one already but I was going to come back and read again before commenting. You already know I like this and yes it does take one out of a funk and slow spins one into springs and summers-smile.
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This is never more than what touches the heart and I can see it teased you into letting it snuggle close.
Love,
Tom B.
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To me, 5 is supreme amidst a very engaging verse.
It is where the words turn personal; where broad applications take on intimate contours. The ending too, brings something alive in me and that is meaning attached to vivid imagery. Who hasn't blown fluff plucked from the grasses of unhurried summer days? What can such a scene recall other than innocence and the luxury of drowsy dreaming
where cloud paintings arrange and rearrange?
Blue
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Ah, to see the world then, to see how we fit or ill adapt the materials at hand -- all of this comes into play. I am touched that you are taken away on the flight of dandelion snow. Our imagination is often applied to clouds instead of possibilities.
May your days be fresh. The breezes full of scents. May your day be redolent with joy.
Peace,
Tom B.
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These lines are very fine
Arsonist have no dreams
dance with pretense while
consuming the creation of another.
The first victim is always joy.
and
My cold feet are your first complaint;
my warm heart is your favorite refuge.
I am rarely found either place.
The thoughts expressed seem disconnected, but they really aren't after the third reading.
"Gathered under the grace of shade,
a drift upon a fallen leaf’s rippled dance,
find me"
You've been found. Well done.
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The Truth?
I was never hiding.
I am, just, not always found where others are looking.
Peace, Tom B.
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holy... nice work. you first hit me with the "people confuse result with deed ..." line and it just got better. i think this poem has everything, great metaphors, good intentions, and it even had some humor for me: "... i am rarely found in either place" again, nice work
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Thanks for the compliment
I am glad you enjoyed these simple words. I have been working at catching the sun in my hands. Often, I am left standing in the rain.
Peace,
Tom B.
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this is one of my favorite writes from you ever. very well done and worth the reading. thank you for sharing this most excellent write with me today. i wish you well in this contest you have entered. viyanna rosemarie
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This is both a personal stance and reflective view as well as a philosophical statement. It is done in a style that shows the influence of my reading of Japanese poetry as well as my knowledge of Zen Buddhism. Glad you enjoyed this journey into my simple side.
Peace,
Tom B.
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Fabulous!!
I love the sections in this...beautifuly written with wonderful imagery!! =-D
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Vignettes allow for such a larger vision to take place. Hurray
Thanks for sharing your joy.
Love, Tom B.
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Now this is what should be billed on billboards!...Beautiful...Regards Hazel
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Wonderful compliment
I dance with the music I have and share what joy I can. Glad you so joyfully have shared you appreciation, it created a lift in my day.
Love, Tom B. -
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A Pleasure indeed...Regards Hazel
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Aromas, silky with history,
thieves of any moment,
they steal us back to the past.
The first victim is always joy.
My favorite liness.. gorgeous write! Unique piece... I enjoyed it!
xo
Cyb -
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed this moment of confession
Peace,
Tom B.
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Liked your philosophy, your words of beautiful wisdom, very well written, like 4. particularly.
well done and good luck
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We are always picking. The bouquets are only for a moment and we are, foolishly too often, only a history of judgments. Life is not going to change because of how we vote on what is true and our course is best served by dancing with the one that brought us. Thank you for all the blessings and best wishes.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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great!
A fascinating write! "Contemporary Zen" in its philosophical passion! ALL the images are very specific and personal...
"Being or beast --
hold on to me,
soul to soul,
find the wind full of dandelion snow."Very intriguing stanza... Love the idea of "dandelion snow." Beautiful light, fragile and... cold.
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Dandelion snow tickles the nose and make you sneeze. It is the promise of yellow topped rascals in the first heat of a springtime breeze racing free and barefoot across yards yet uncut.
Contemporary Zen - hadn't thought of that. I am a Quaker and influenced by Zen, Buddha, and the echoes in the stillness. We can offer no more than who we are and are frequently fooled by those who would seek only what they think we have.
Peace,
Tom B. -
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"Dandelion snow tickles the nose and make you sneeze. It is the promise of yellow topped rascals in the first heat of a springtime breeze racing free and barefoot across yards yet uncut. "
I like these lines from one of your comments as much or more than the poem itself. You should turn this comments into a poem.
"Life is not going to change because of how we vote on what is true and our course is best served by dancing with the one that brought us. " And this comment as well. You know you're a great poet when your comments are poetic. -
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I shall have to think about all of that. I trip and run with and idea than the wind stills, the tumble comes to rest and I must muse and be confused before the sunlight catches my next interest. Thanks for being so delighted with my silliness.
Peace & Love,
Tom B.
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The title threw me off, but the poetry and sereness of your writing corrected that, great poem i loved the imagery, it has a mystical quality to it.
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Life is the mystery of the awakening spirit and the path for its illumination. It is but a vehicle and we possess a body to deal with its demands. Like a piece in a board game, it is only representational. We should not forget to learn all we can.
Peace,
Tom B.
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Wood
for the fire never creates the flame.
Arsonist have no dreams
dance with pretense while
consuming the creation of another.
The first victim is always joy.
brilliant. this write is absolutely brilliant. It's clean and readable, and lovely and touching. I think becasue it's so sincere. yes, I agree with you on so many levels. joy, that line being my very favorite. wow Tom. I dont know what else I can say, other than more blah blah blah.
Love,
jin
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So much is the journey. I am a teacher in many ways. I accept that. Realized that often, I am seen as perfect in my craft because I teach the path to the goals. But I am still trying to attain them as much as anyone else. I was pleased with how well this showed up and how little editing it took. Part of it grew out of a memorial service I attended for a class mate of high school. I knew you were no stranger to the lessons in this poem. Sometime before I get to old to travel, my family shall have to meet yours and we can laugh and tell bad stories over good food.
Love,
Tom B. -
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tell bad stories over good food...excellent prompt-thank you.
that would be lovely. yes, I believe you are a teacher-have never had a doubt. Funny how you just KNOW something, right?
Love to ya Tom.
jin
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