Last Updated On November 15, 2021
I work on melting that hardness by generating more warmth, more open heart. A good way for any of us to do this is to think of a person toward whom we feel appreciation or love or gratitude. In other words, we connect with the warmth that we already have. If we can't think of a person, we can think of a pet, or even a plant. Sometimes we have to search a bit. But as Trungpa Rinpoche used to say, "Everybody loves something. Even if it's just tortillas." The point is to touch in to the good heart that we already have and nurture it. -Pema Chodron
This piece is part of my Garden of Delights series, see The Garden of Delights 30 Day Writing Challenge if you would like to participate all through the month of November.
I roll over facing
His visage in the aquarium’s glow
Tense as though sleep was a battle won
Knit brow, set jaw
I cup my own cheeks
Noting our twin spirits
There is red ink scrawled across his forehead
I follow its trajectory lightly with my finger-
dipping into his temple and around the back of his ear.
It says “Holding up…”
I scoot forward and kiss his thin lips.
The ink dilutes and drains
and we both share its blush.
Our flushed skin contains the exhaustion and the uncertainty
and the radiant joy of Holding up…
Our small universe
With deep sigh we welcome a return to slumber
Children and pets and work and responsibilities circle our heads
In a fluttering orbit as we dream
Hope and trust in the essential
###
Last Updated On November 15, 2021
I work on melting that hardness by generating more warmth, more open heart. A good way for any of us to do this is to think of a person toward whom we feel appreciation or love or gratitude. In other words, we connect with the warmth that we already have. If we can't think of a person, we can think of a pet, or even a plant. Sometimes we have to search a bit. But as Trungpa Rinpoche used to say, "Everybody loves something. Even if it's just tortillas." The point is to touch in to the good heart that we already have and nurture it. -Pema Chodron
This piece is part of my Garden of Delights series, see The Garden of Delights 30 Day Writing Challenge if you would like to participate all through the month of November.
I roll over facing
His visage in the aquarium’s glow
Tense as though sleep was a battle won
Knit brow, set jaw
I cup my own cheeks
Noting our twin spirits
There is red ink scrawled across his forehead
I follow its trajectory lightly with my finger-
dipping into his temple and around the back of his ear.
It says “Holding up…”
I scoot forward and kiss his thin lips.
The ink dilutes and drains
and we both share its blush.
Our flushed skin contains the exhaustion and the uncertainty
and the radiant joy of Holding up…
Our small universe
With deep sigh we welcome a return to slumber
Children and pets and work and responsibilities circle our heads
In a fluttering orbit as we dream
Hope and trust in the essential
###
Last Updated On November 15, 2021
I work on melting that hardness by generating more warmth, more open heart. A good way for any of us to do this is to think of a person toward whom we feel appreciation or love or gratitude. In other words, we connect with the warmth that we already have. If we can't think of a person, we can think of a pet, or even a plant. Sometimes we have to search a bit. But as Trungpa Rinpoche used to say, "Everybody loves something. Even if it's just tortillas." The point is to touch in to the good heart that we already have and nurture it. -Pema Chodron
This piece is part of my Garden of Delights series, see The Garden of Delights 30 Day Writing Challenge if you would like to participate all through the month of November.
I roll over facing
His visage in the aquarium’s glow
Tense as though sleep was a battle won
Knit brow, set jaw
I cup my own cheeks
Noting our twin spirits
There is red ink scrawled across his forehead
I follow its trajectory lightly with my finger-
dipping into his temple and around the back of his ear.
It says “Holding up…”
I scoot forward and kiss his thin lips.
The ink dilutes and drains
and we both share its blush.
Our flushed skin contains the exhaustion and the uncertainty
and the radiant joy of Holding up…
Our small universe
With deep sigh we welcome a return to slumber
Children and pets and work and responsibilities circle our heads
In a fluttering orbit as we dream
Hope and trust in the essential
###