tanka:time is memory
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Category Archives: aging
poem: a season of loss
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.”
poem: a missive from a hard winter and a possible return
poem: a missive from
a hard winter and a
possible return from deep within
the dark lair
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’
poem: life, dream, prophetic, and spiritual signs of aging
poem: life, dream, prophetic,
and spiritual signs of aging
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!
haiku: Christmas past dreams
haiku: Christmas past dreams
remembering past
family Christmases on
the farm of her youth
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
December 20, 2022
photo by author
author’s note: Cathey grew up
on a large dairy farm in rural
Middle Tennessee in a large family
of 10 siblings with their Mom and
Dad. She left home at 19 moving to
Nashville, we married when she
was 27, and we will celebrate her
78th. Christmas this week.
poem: her morning reverie
poem: her morning reverie
framed by the golden light
of the Fall day
in the rocking chair by the window
in the sun’s warmth
body still, mind quiet
eyes soft, breath even
soul ascending
on wings of spirit
ageless dreams
of Home
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 23, 2022
poem: conscious aging, spiritual foresight, perennial wisdom
poem: conscious aging,
spiritual foresight,
perennial wisdommindfully present
flowing in the
universal rhythms
of the Cosmos
here and now
spiritual foresight,
perennial wisdommindfully present
flowing in the
universal rhythms
of the Cosmos
here and now
letting go any
pretense of
hubris, sentimentality,
power, control,
and domination
pure being,
not desiring,
doing,
grasping,
or withholding
emptying,
opening,
uniting,
in the eternal, omnipresent
One Peace/One Love
sharing mutually
authentic presence
of belonging: witnesses,
prophets, seers, souls,
and saints
focusing, preparing, practicing,
participating, reflecting,
celebrating, liberating,
transitioning, whole-making,
arriving full-circle
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 20, 2022
photo by author
“Full Circle”
poem: an elder’s perspective on time and space
poem: an elder’s perspective
on time and space
on time and space
thinking of the past is useless
unless it informs the present
always going for the gust
is a fool’s dream
worrying for tomorrow
a thief in the night
thus taking more time
mindfully present here and now
with loved ones, dear friends,
soul mates, and witnesses
wherever you go, there you are
you will find me there
covering less ground somewhere
between disengaged and belonging
close to home
Homeward bound
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 27, 2022
October 27, 2022
author’s note: My reflection on aging
was sparked after reading Thomas Merton’s
quote, “Take more time, cover less ground.”
John Kabat- Zinn is reflected in a book title
of his, “Wherever You Go, There You Are.”
And Ram Dass’ iconic words, “Be Here Now”
from his book by the same title is
represented in the poem. Merton, a Catholic
monk; Kabat-Zinn, a biomedical scientist
influenced by Buddhism; and Ram Dass,
a Harvard social psychology research professor who became
a disciple of Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba.
These and others have been my teachers from
whom I have learned about living, aging, and dying.
I have tried to be a good student and continue to learn.
photo by author ‘On the Front Stoop’
poem: a caregiver’s satori
poem: a caregiver’s satori
with the beauty of
a new autumn day
this tapestry
of colors
blue, pink, white
sky above
orange, red, yellow
leaves below
a caregiver’s day
begins early
it holding
much to do
caring for
my beloved
ordinary chores
and errands
here and now
this satori moment
and then the laundry,
meals, and dishes
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 13, 2022
photos by author
quote: “….liberating peace of at oneness with the Great Cosmos.”
