poem: a season of loss
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 season of loss
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.”
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’
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
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
poem: a husband/caregiver’s lament
speaking honestly now,
crying out into the silence,
seeking to project
understanding, hope, and healing
into the challenge of
giving care to a beloved
having no time
for platitudes,
sentimental claptrap,
and well-meaning advice,
these self serving idols
of comfort, security, positive-thinkers
do not tell me
about long goodbyes
and cruel diseases;
the stigmas of Alzheimer’s, and
its resulting isolation and lack of support,
are contemptible in our competitive society
and so we two, together here and now,
presently in our deathless love,
falling upward into this simple, sweet life,
sharing warm hugs, a deep mutual attentive
presence, and loving-kindness for all beings
in deep gratitude
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
September 12, 2022
photo by author ‘Resting’ and “Here and Now”
Author note: I have labored to write this
piece for weeks in an effort to bring a balance
in the tension between living in a society
that does not value the aging resulting
in trite sentimentality, the isolation of individuals and caregivers,
and the lack of compassionate support and care, vis-a-vis
the reality of caregiver spouses and their
beloved with Alzheimer’s living and loving
with presence and attention together
here and now. Their is a great need for
everyone to better understand those living
with this disease and for more compassionate and accessible
support and care. Let us love one another!
for weary souls
attention narrowing
deep in thought
blank stare
unmoored in rough seas
sensing distress
husband and caregiver
wife and charge
weary souls connect
gently taking her hand
and whispering
“we need some loving-kindness”
she smiles tenderly back at me
metta, compassion,
benevolent tender affection
re-centering us back
in the here and now
loving-kindness
is our healing balm
for much of the weariness
of this world
may all beings be safe
may all beings be free of pain and suffering
may all beings be whole
may all beings be loving and loved
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
September 5, 2022
photo and quote by author
poem: a harsh season
admiring their beauty
during a brief respite from
the season’s searing heat
she nearby with a wry smile,
resting on her cane, eyes closed,
lost in a reverie
the past 12 months
of our life’s second half
its own harsh season
mindful that earthly forms
wither and fade
yet souls hold their beauty
grateful for the radical
acceptance and love
of mutual belonging
aware that our most
high Spirit resurrects
in Cosmic harmony of All
yes, in the late summer
of our harsh year, seeing
the Beauty now and to come
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
August 6, 2022
photos by author
Author’s note: The past twelve
months have seen a string of acute
illnesses, chronic health concerns,
and injuries for my beloved. We
weather the harsh season together,
and discover the Beauty that survives
and endures now and to come.
poem: invitational presence
like the lodestar
in the dark of night
calling us to safe harbor
the host setting
an extra place at the table
for the unexpected guest
the healer connecting
deeply with others
through their own wounds
the creative soul
offering its expression
as a gift to the universe
the True Self animating
our life together
in communities of belonging
the spirit uplifting
the life and dignity
of all oppressed beings
the dear friend who
senses our need
and reaches out in support
being the invitational presence
subtly communicating to all
one’s radical acceptance and inclusion
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
July 22, 2022
self photo “Opening the Heart Chakra’
Author’s note: Each of us can cultivate
an invitational presence which is key
to fostering healthy beings, relationships,
and communities of authentic belonging.
An excellent resource on invitational
presence and belonging is Toko-Pa Turner’s book,
‘Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home.”
This is an area I must continually work on due to
a temperament for solitude.