return

It is a soft return,

Treading lightly on stone paths, and tripping over happiness.

See sly, shy Joy and her companion, Wry Understanding, stepping out from blossoming azalea bushes and crepe myrtle trees,

Striding down the indifferent path, marking intention with every step and smiling at gone.

frederic lord leighton: flaming june

remaining

Although born

Of heaven's domain,

I am currently

Earthly-wise and

Temporarily-bound,

So I go spinning

Out my morning door

Into dawn's reflection,

Like light on water.

This day gifted,

Unnumbered remaining.

quote: john cage

The first question I ask

when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is:

why do I think it's not beautiful?

And very shortly you discover,

there is no reason.

j.w. waterhouse: lady of shalott

pachelbel: canon in d major

too much all at once

The day after

The night before

Only departure remains

I watched the shift

From a distance:

Paths converging, then diverging

I extended myself

But you took the circle with you

And all I can do is

Walk around the perimeter

No longer belonging

To any part of me

Only naming some nameless sorrow

I cannot touch or remember

Wandering dazed as if

You might come by

Any screaming lost moment

My job here is gone

I turn to my own way

Too much all at once

downtown

(photo by signe)

samuel barber: adagio for strings

recipe for kindness:

Patience

Rain

Love

Clouds

Birds

Butterflies

Laughter

Kittens

Green growing things and

Flowers

Music

Letting go

Growing up

Learning to look at your own behavior as opposed to judging others

Loving yourself

Forgiving yourself

Forgiving others

Loving others

Meditation

Reflection

Sunrise

Sunset

Oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, puddles

Compassion

Acceptance

Gratitude

vincent van gogh: flower beds in holland

raw

I am the stuff of raw,

Unschooled and untamed.

A venturing wild child,

Making every move and mistake.

Unbehaving like a lady,

Flinging naked and unsightly,

In full view, without shame,

And lacking the ability to embarrass herself.

 

Unweaving the carefully woven

Crust of society to my own liking and

Instructing myself to my own bidding,

I honor no one but God and love.

 

Under whose rules shall I bind

My earthly nature and

Whose laws would you apply to me?

You are simply too scared to unbehave yourself.

 

I am a God-given being of joy

And lightness to behold and

I shall rejoice in my gladness, dancing daily

My loose wonderment under these celestial skies.

sir lawrence alma-tadema: the favorite poet

sigh

I have journeyed,

And sometimes arrived,

Stepping over your tired questions.

There are no awards for intensity;

Would you please relax?

You’re dismissed.

 

If you don’t wake up soon,

You’re gonna miss

The Whole Thing.

I have rules about

This sort of thing,

Because.

Try this next time:

Not.

my father

Henry Santiestevan. The pioneering Latino journalist and labor organizer headed the Viva Kennedy and Viva Humphrey campaigns in 1968. That same year he became the founding director of the National Council of La Raza. He is one of the many nearly-forgotten California Latino leaders featured in the Search for a Civic Voice.

(photo by Jack Maschoff; courtesy of Stina Santiestevan)

http://www.kennethburt.com/santiestevan.html

delibes: flower duet (lakme)

grasshopper (schistocerca americana)

(photo by signe)

yesterday, today, tomorrow

Yesterday, I loved my losses.

Today, I embrace the unforgiven.

Tomorrow, I will turn a cheek.

r.i.p. bobby kennedy

night rain

I couldn’t sleep last night – it was raining! Delicious drippy wet stuff, falling all around. Had to rush out of bed and onto my happy porch.

Frogs were chirping like crickets and even the birds woke up, shifting and tweetering in their night-time bushes.

The Drought-Breaker has arrived, and brings with Him the source of goodness and life, while He softly sings the rain song. (And if you listen closely, you can hear the flowers singing harmony).

In the morning, everything and everyone is smiling, remembering the secret of the rain the night before.

Breathing Deeply, Living Moment, Nightly Rain.

sunset on mars

(photo courtesy of nasa)

the love and the measure

I am shining down and down,

Striking a balance between

The love and the measure.

 

Swinging between joy

And that bright light,

Patiently awaiting my own arousal.

 

Illuminated brightly and

Illustrating every moment,

Calling down my brilliant path.

 

When faith awakens,

And truth becomes you,

Compose yourself, and breathe surrender.

yo-yo ma & allison krause: simple gifts

simplicity

(photo by signe)

r.i.p. floyd

This weight belongs to those of us

Left behind

As you are called home

To our Father’s gate

Carried on angel’s wind and

Shining like the stars

I never thought

I would never see you again

Too pale a word

To say goodbye

God rest your soul and

Sing now in heaven’s choir

The story of you and

Bless the ones you love