Monthly Archives: January 2023

poem: a season of loss

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poem: a season of loss
feeling the deep sting of loss
in this dark, wet, cold,
season of mid-winter


and yet, what personal hubris of one’s self


would tell someone to worry about the comfort


and safety of their own ego




only in the dark night of the soul


are we liberated from old attachments


and compulsions so that we love more freely




only with suffering can we


awaken to the deepest


compassion and wisdom of life eternal




and only in healing can one


know the complimentary, both/and,


unitive, full process of suffering




yes, here and now in the second half of life,


it is time to put away our childish ways,


and spiritually discern our falling upward




Herb Stone


here&now working poetry


January 27, 2023




photo by author “Home”




author’s note: the second line of the last verse is from 1 Corinthians 13:11. 
Richard Rohr has an excellent book titled, “Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the 
Two Halves of Life.”





























































					

		
		
	

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poem: a missive from a hard winter and a possible return

			
						

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poem: a missive from

a hard winter and a

possible return


from deep within

the dark lair 


wounds are salved

and broken things mended


a buffeting wet, cold

winter wind chills the bone


quality of life

frail and weak


free floating soul

battered in the storm


consciousness clouded

the way uncertain


circling in this thin place

in liminal time


letting go of survival instinct

for more understanding


perhaps a bit more repose

into the bardos of uncertainty


faith in one’s good nature,

clarity, and hope of return


opening to what lies beyond,

transformation, re-engagement


the intuitive wisdom of knowing

beyond the mind


emergence of True Self joined

mutually in beloved community


Herb Stone

here&now working poetry

January 13, 2023


photo by author

‘Old Coyote in Winter’





















































					

		
		
	

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poem: life, dream, prophetic, and spiritual signs of aging

			
						

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poem: life, dream, prophetic,

and spiritual signs of aging


life signs: impermanence

everybody and everything changes,

nothing last forever


dream signs: humility and loss

all things arising that must

expand our consciousness


prophetic signs: wisdom and wit

the owl and the coyote

visit our abode


spirit signs: the Eternal Divine

directly knowing the Cosmic

spiritual journey of Oneing


Herb Stone

here&now working poetry

January 8, 2023


photo by author

‘Spirit Guides and Prophetic

Companions’


author’s note: in my aging, as

caregiver to a beloved, aging wife,

and with aging family and friends,

I have recently been experiencing

an acute awareness of this later

stage of life all will experience who

live long enough. The poem references

signs I have personally experienced

in a relatively short period of time,

i.e., the last six to eight weeks.

Gratefully, the spiritual traditions

I have practiced over my lifetime

have been a beacon of grace, faith,

and hope in preparation for journeys

to come. Also deeply grateful for dear

friends offering the authenticity of

true belonging. Namaste!



















					

		
		
	

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poem: ole coyote warming its bones

			
						

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poem: ole coyote warming its bones


wiley, wary, weary coyote

dozing in the full sun

of a freezing winter’s morn


a sub-zero night,

scrounging for its food,

its heart is light


witty and wise, clever and savvy,

in nature wholly adaptable,

the old coyote perseveres


Herb Stone

here&now working poetry

January 5, 2023










photo by author


author’s note: Our local coyote friend,






laying in a favorite sunny spot at the


edge of our woods, during the recent


cold nap this winter with temps


sub-zero and below freezing for several


days. Recently, it came to our


backdoor before sunrise and made a


ruckus, and I peered through the glass;


it was there on the patio just inches away


on the other side of the door. Thanks for


stopping by!





					

		
		
	

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