A faint rumbling in the distance,

some trembling leaves,

branches dancing,

a door banging,

as unseen forces amble east

through the county.

Lily faces

turn upward

as rain swishes on padded feet,

gutters gurgle,

wood chimes chatter

the earth gives thanks.

Day is ending,

darkness descending,

work is done,

body weary,

mind is spent,

eyes are heavy.

Elixir of sleep,

refresh me now.

Hundreds dead, newspaper headlines shout.

Shocking images,

grieving mothers,

fathers, sisters

appear on TV news each night,

while we destroy

a Western state

to practice bombing.

When will the voices of reason

break through hatred,

the ancient dance

of destruction?

When will we embrace others as

partners, humans

on the same journey

of love and life?

When

will

it

stop?

What

can

we

do?

BHW

Palest peach petals soft as fur,

spidery arms

flowing to earth.

Breathe in , breathe out.

Sun filtered by greens, browns, and grays,

shapely green leaves

whispering low.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Jasmine vines wrapping and twisting,

inward, outward.

Tinkle of chimes.

Breathe in, breathe out.

BHW

If you open your eyes, your ears

right here, right now,

in this moment,

stillness drops in.

Always there, the grace of the earth,

fluffs of clouds in

a crooked line,

a gurgling stream,

whisper of leaves as critters stir,

flutter of wings,

musical calls.

Breath in, breath out.