wind in the red oak leaves
on the bridge crossing the creek
whispers sweet nothingsHerb Stone
here&now working poetry
November 10, 2022
video by author
“Love Is In The Air”
turn on sound
video by author
“Love Is In The Air”
turn on sound
haiku: flickering memories
Totties’ white crochet
in Fall’s dancing light adorns
the royal blue chair
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 31, 2022
photo by author
author’s note: remembering my maternal grandmother, Aline Feustel Martin (1889-1979), who we grandchildren called Tottie all her life.
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
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
haiku: autumn’s home
high on eastern ridge
abundance of peace and love
harvesting blessings
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 4, 2022
photos by author
suddenly
a gust of Fall breeze
flattens the tall grass
with a swoosh
peacefully
butterflies dart
and flutter
in the frostweed
blissfully
the golden sun rays
play upon our skin
warming our core
gratefully
our breath catches
walking the path
heading home
mindfully
aware winter’s coming
and light’s fading; hope is
a glowing ember in our hearts
Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 2, 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!
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.