a world full
of thrones and rocks
will reek its pain

and we imperfect beings
are perfectly susceptible
to its suffering

extant suffering
which must not be
ignored, denied, or fetishized

but to which we must
respond with the ability
to listen and learn its hard lessons

lessons of paradoxical tensions
capable of leading us to
healing, transformation, and growth

that the beauty of life
always returns to us
in its creative expression

recalling a poems words,
the autumns golden light,
your love across the universe

Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
November 7, 2021

photos by author

Authors note: Autumn’s golden
light from my front door, poems
from my recently published book
of poetry, and my love of the
universe, my wife, Cathey.