Reflections on life

A plaque on a bench last remembrance in a beloved park

Sunset  and creatures of darkness   stir themselves  tonight will see  many poems written.

Slowly drifting across lunar landscape  shadow of home.

Fighting for peace  a paradox    unity or oppression  depends on perspective  or definition.

An empty shell lying forlorn on the sand  abandonned  my betrayal  is complete

Slowed by age  the old woman  slowed further by snow.

To be or not to be a question that hangs  in the stillness of time  groping for the answer  that eludes my grasp.

Hearts bound by a desire  a family unity  fractured  by a world  of futile offerings.

I stare at the photograph  so long ago  before the pain  etched lines in your beauty.

To be lost  cast adrift on barren shores  haunted by the memory  of what was and what may be.

Too many words  remain unsaid   whilst hearts  bleed tears of neglect  in silence.

collected and sorted only the best are kept arranged in order and savoured a poem

Bad news received feel its kick in your stomach imagine living with this feeling every day.

rising from the dust the child baptized in the dirt hopes    he will not spend his life there

Sirens wail in frosty air a night of peace extends to some not to all

when winters teeth bite deep into this land and frozen ground lies dormant neath its grip I reach for you to grasp your loving hand so in this world of danger I'll not slip. You shield me from the storms of evil tide and hold me close whilst tempests round me storm when fear camps against me I will confide in one who keeps me sheltered without harm though men may boast of many noble things their failure to succeed is all to clear achievements , often curses with them bring along with goodness , evil is brought near yet you will never harm nor do me ill as by my days I live to do your will

On the edge of love near but not quite the touch of compassion on the pavement one step from the garden (Gogyohka)

Moods shifting as desert sands at the mercy of external forces shaping my words (Gogyohka)

In solitude the enfolding silence frees my thoughts to roam freely as petals in the breeze

Bird in the forest singing beautiful refrains yet seeking no praise

Songs from the past bring unbidden memories shadows of fading light like lead in my veins drowning me in regret

On the fringe of breath flute notes ride on the morning air rising to the awakening sun

Flowers in a vase fragrance diminshed with age shadows of beauty

Prayers said to heaven carried on an angels wings to a hearing ear

Life like a river meanders on its journey never to turn back

Searching for answers one man turns to the Buddha his answer, duka

The smallest candle will bring illumination to the darkest room

Stepping stones strewn with red maple leaves a white bridge crosses the stream does it lead to you ?

I search for the way but a bound stone blocks my path must drink tea elsewhere

Ceremony with precision and dignity   in the chashitsu

Dreams are only dreams filling our minds with joy and fear they dissipate in early morning mist

In time the pain will go replaced by an emptiness   that will not be filled  a void of emotions   like leafless trees in winter

Cherry blossom flys   away in the springtime breeze its duty performed  

Orange setting sun blackbird sings on chimney pot peaceful end to day

I dream in whispers so as not to awaken my reality

The night air hangs from branches in icy fingers as we leave footprints in the snow.

Summer-time arrives sun and rain are married a rainbow is born

Powerful spring winds scatter delicate blossom like snowfall in May

Orange , yellow , red colours daubed across the sky art of creation

When poems will not come I conjure up your image Now my pen will write

Misty clouds cling to the side of a mountain as an eagle soars free

Gaelic whispers echo from solitary stones across deep waters

Into the forest the moonlight falls,drop by drop painting leaves silver

My heart becomes sorrowful seeing an elderly couple stroll hand in hand,knowing one must leave the other to walk alone

The past like ancient roots binding us to the present and yet shaping our future

Wind chimes in the breeze vibrating in harmony to the poets ear

Mist shrouded island as dawn breaks fishing boats sail on smooth glass mouths to feed                                                                                              (Gogyohka)

We tread a narrow path between opposite poles weighing each thought balancing each action staying safe in the middle.

a heap of rags huddled in a doorway shivering in the cold of a white street          is still someones son.           Gogyohka

Life is a complex mix of relationships , emotions , goals , fears , hopes and dreams. We see justice and injustice , good and evil , joy and sadness. My aim in making this blog is to share what I notice and write it mostly in poetic style. I prefer gogyohka but enjoy haiku and senryu also. Life is what we make it but sometimes we need a helping hand. Lets help one another through our reflections on life. All material on this site is original and  © Steve Wilkinson 2011