lisa – Page 5

13 June 202024 June 2020

Let it out

Rain sliding down night-darkened windows
makes more noise; without any warning
the edges of thoughts fade, become
tainted by shadows.

Bleach only removes stains from laundry
and white porcelain, neither of which
is as porous as mind, as susceptible
to ground in dirt.

Arguments almost drown it out; distraction
that ends poorly, ineffectively, guiltily
setting the stain deeper in the fabric
of relationship.

Fluorescent lighting and white-floored
boutiques, salespeople selling smiles
to shoppers, the price of freedom
from isolation and anonymity.

Speeding, cars and drugs; the rushing
adrenaline briefly alters the oncoming
night; inevitably it arrives, the vehicle
doesn’t matter.

The lungs finally demand their due;
soldiers marking time long enough now,
move in, bring order and pace to breath.
Exhale that shit out. Make it out loud.

LMC

7 June 20207 June 2020

It’s not a spectacular or eye-catching image. It’s about the play of dark and light, contrast, and how things that can be invisible or ignored on clear days can come alive in the right circumstances. That thin, horizontal stripe of darkness on the horizon is the base of an island which, on sunny days, shows the road meandering up the hill from the ferry to the homes of its residents. Shows the cliffs, the green meadows, and houses dotted along the top. Often, there is a ferry tucked into the wharf, waiting to welcome travellers to and fro.

But at the moment captured here, there is a thick low cloud. It obscures the island, hiding all signs of human occupation and activity. It is heavy with the rain that will soon pound down on the roof, make waves on the street outside as it travels down to the bay and transfers to it the weight of the air.

It seems to say, nothing to see here, and my usual tendency would be to just observe that thin strip of black and decide to focus on indoor activities; the mundanity of putting the house in order is saved for such days. Today, the stark black cross of the telephone posts catch my eye. Just as an experiment, I focus on what I usually consider detracts from the view I want to see.

The low cloud has brought these man-made structures to the forefront and they refuse to be ignored. If you want to see the “out there” world, this is it. There is nothing else. They are simple, without mystery, utilitarian. They hide right in front of us, disregarded and taken for granted simply because they are everywhere.

The lack of distraction, finally, reveals an appealing starkness. The low cloud as a background unveils the complexity of its task, makes visible the thin disks which support the wires’ path from house to house to house. Displays in relief the drum-shaped transformer that protects us from an energy that has the power to kill. Reveals its invisible passage among us through the translucent dome of the street light, which illuminates our way in the darkness of night. Even through the interference of tree branches, it connects us, doing what it was designed to do, without rest. Without recognition.

Yes, even as an inanimate object it deserves our gratitude. And who can say if, perhaps as a purveyor of electricity, it absorbs some of that energy and knows its own version of life. There is no way to know, except through the imagination. And through a willingness to acknowledge that we tend to ignore what is right in front of us, until we have no choice but to see it. Until it is taken away.

30 May 2020

All in a day

23 May 2020

Take to the sky

15 May 202030 June 2020

Birds out the window – updated

Surprise visit from a Black Swallowtail on chive flowers

As far as I can tell, this is a White-striped Black *Trichodezia albovittata*, Hard to tell from underneath.

Patience waits – American Goldfinch mama in nest

Mourning Cloak- Nymphalis antiopa – Not a bird, but it flies beautifully

Dark-eyed Junco – *The watcher is being watched – who is who?*

12 May 2020

Pitcher Plant

12 May 202024 June 2020

Gypsy Blue Shawl

Gypsy blue
is not actually blue at all.
Maybe it once was blue,
but a hint of yellow crept in
like an errant ray of sun.

Not quite so bright as a canary
that would sing your blues away,
and warn you of impending danger.

Closer to a lemon,
tart and translucent slices that
pucker up your lips –
but not quite that either.

Perhaps a stick of butter,
so pale it could almost pass
as a deeper shade of white.
How easily it makes things slide:
stuck zippers;
fried eggs in the pan;
the noisy hinge that could have told me
when you left.

Remember that shawl you gave me?
True blue like my eyes,
I think you said then.
It is not that colour now.

Worn and washed by memories
to a shade of gypsy blue.
I wonder if you’re still wandering.

LMC

10 May 2020

My Metta Meditation

Anyone who sits regularly in meditation knows the benefits of the practice. Even an occasional meditation session is helpful in calming the mind and body. Regulation of breath helps to calm the mind and body, and is the first step towards that quiet, still place that exists inside, which may be hard to find sometimes.

Lately, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become the main topic of conversation for pretty much the entire world. With all the uncertainty, fear and anger from the lifestyle changes, not to mention the conflicting media messages, it is hard not to feel anxious and powerless.

For me, Metta meditation is a way of reconnecting to the world in a more positive way. It’s not a cure, but rather an opportunity to change the language of my thoughts. By opening my thoughts to compassion towards the self and others, and focusing on what I want to see more of in the world around me, my thoughts become less overwhelming. It is a few minutes’ relief from the anxiety caused by wanting to change what I have no control over, and a way to temporarily stop suffering from that uncertainty, fear and anger.

Here is my current meditation. I begin by finding a quiet place where I won’t be disturbed, and where I can sit or lie down comfortably and be relaxed. Sometimes I find some quiet music on my favourite device and pop in my headphones. It depends on the environment; whether the dehumidifier is likely to come on, whether the cats are plucking at the door to come in, or if they jump on me when I give in and open the door, because they like my cozy blanket. All of that is part of the practice too.

Sometimes I close my eyes, sometimes I just let my eyelids feel heavy and my eyes become unfocused. My meditation then turns to breathing, noticing what happens when I inhale, and when I exhale. Even if I try to be very still, my body moves as I breathe, expanding and contracting. I follow the breath in and out, in and out, keeping my attention on it until it slows and my body relaxes.

This is when the Metta, or loving-kindness meditation comes in. Thoughts are powerful. By labelling the thought I want to invite in on the inhale, I draw it to me. By labelling the same thought on the exhale, I send that thought out into the world. If there is someone specific I am concerned about, I might focus my attention on them as I exhale the thought. Inhale to experience, exhale to share.

Right now I am focusing on four specific words, because I feel like they are what I need, and what the world needs most right now. Health. Joy. Love. Peace. Inhaling, I invite Health into myself. Exhaling, I send Health into the world around me. Inhaling, I invite Joy into myself. Exhaling, I send Joy into the world around me. Inhaling, I invite Love into myself. Exhaling, I send Love into the world around me. Inhaling, I invite Peace into myself. Exhaling, I send Peace into the world around me. Feeling each word ring true.

This can be repeated as many times as desired. When I am finished, I bring my attention back to the simplicity of breathing for a few breaths, before opening my eyes.

There is a ton of information on the internet about meditation. It is a practice that requires practice – the first (or second or third…) time, you may find it challenging to let go of thoughts. In reality, it is impossible to be without thoughts, The goal is to identify when you are having a thought, let go of the thought, and try to extend the time between thoughts. Zen mastery is not required, and the benefits of meditation are often more subtle. Even if there is no obvious effect after meditation, know that doing the breathing exercises and learning how to bring the attention to the breath, has benefits. Check out as many sites as necessary to find a meditation style that resonates. It is not one size fits all, and there is no right way to meditate. It is your practice to build, the way that works best for you. Happy meditating!

10 May 202012 May 2020