Seize the day

Don't overthink or plan to excess because you will never imagine every outcome and you may well squander the only chance you had... Go with the opportunity and learn from the good, bad and unforeseen. You will always achieve a rare and priceless goal from your experiences... Wisdom. 

 

Perfect imperfection

A perfect sky reflected and distorted in crumpled folds of water is an allegory for life. Nothing is perfect yet the world goes along regardless. Things eat, drink and continue existing without ever noticing these imperfections. Somehow, allowances are made, compromises undertaken and decisions chosen based on and including all the flaws. Somehow, it still seems perfect. Is it because as individuals we chose only to see what we want and need to see? Are we born with filters which allow us to observe and order things in a way that makes sense purely to us? Or are we simply built to accept imperfection and revel in all the ingenuity it forces us to employ in order to work around it? Most of the time, only those directly affected are even aware that anything is amiss... is the whole of life approximate in one way or another and is this what makes all our experiences so utterly unique?

Set your sights

You have a mountain to climb
It may be steep, but there will also be gentler slopes and some of them downhill.
It may be cast in dark shadow or bathed in blinding light.
There will be sheltered spots or exposed dangers.
You will be rivers to cross but water is vital.
Hurdles may need to be overcome, but sometimes these will give you purchase for the climb, or shelter from the elements.
For every up a down,  for the dark there will be light,  there may be noise or peace
But for the view you receive on achieving your climb it will all be worth it.

Choices

Not all choices are stark. 
They are not all ones of life or death.
Yet all point us in a direction in the end. Whether we intend them to or not. The need to take a specific option may sometimes seem unnecessary, even ridiculous, some decisions can be made without a moment's hesitation, may hardly feel like choices at all. Yet there are those who would have us believe, every one sets in spate a parallel universe of possibilities... and perhaps this is exactly how it goes. 
How many times have choices apparently led to amazing coincidences? Or chance meetings and events have occurred which change entire lives and all because of an insignificant selection, perhaps as simple a thought as whether to turn left or right... or even what to wear today? 
Admittedly, some choices are vast. They are monumental and can be terrifying. They have immeasurable impact. Some are life changers, game changers, planet changers... like where to put the cross on that election ballot paper, who to marry, whose life to save, and whether or not we should go to war. Some may cause hurt, pain or suffering, others give relief. We may agonise for hours about moral dilemmas; or truth; or fear; and the implications of what we choose to do. Yet, one thing is obvious, it is the ability of all choices, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to affect whatever outcome our lives may receive as a result. This is truly is mind blowing...

Eventide

Calm and peace hold hands at last
They call those weary souls to find rest
Settle down to watch the slowly ebbing sun
As songbirds sing their lullaby to the day
Stumbling down the path to slumber
Heavy eyes and gentle hearts nod in time
Quiet will caress a weary cheek
Releasing the enormity
Of restful sleep

Illumination

Light.
It's pretty amazing. It travels at a constant speed but can withstand being bent, refracted and deflected. It shines for millennia and across impossible distances. It is the daylight, the provider of life for our world and similar stars guide us through the night too. As humans many cultures view light as divine. It is revered in festivals throughout the world. In those climes where the hours we receive alter with the changing seasons many view the loss of daylight with fear and celebrate its return with joy. Solar eclipses which rob the world of its life bestowing light in apparent bite sized chunks before its triumphant return have also been observed with awe and fear. Light can serve as a warning, telling us of danger or it can welcome us to shelter, warmth and safety. Light can be used to transfer messages, pictures, news. It is of almost immeasurable importance. Not so strange then, that it should be used to depict hope, for without it's guiding influence we are all lost.

Two in one

Wherever you go
Take me with you
Tucked into the folds of your soul
Let me walk with you
A comfort in dark times
Calm when you are troubled
Light should you get lost
Feel the strength of my encouragement
The heat of passion
And peace of contentment
Knowing my soul
Walks with yours
Step by step
I run when you do
Lead if you falter
Hold you back when caution should stem your exuberance
I lend you tact if you lack diplomacy
Tolerance and understanding
If yours should fail
Harken my advice
Recall that a moment's reflection
Can quench a war
Since words once said or deeds the seeds of regret
Cannot be undone
If anger seers you
Let my counsel calm you
To turn it to the best
Not lost in aggressive, senseless waste
I wish to constantly accompany you
Through every path you travel
With you knowing I want only the best for you
I hope this will guide you always
And hold you forever safe
My love

Alone

There are times when serenity is overdue
The moments close to screaming
When every sinew is stretched
The waves of stress twang tight
Like guitar strings plucked to breaking discordance
Flee
Away to the mountain top
To seek and find
An intermission
Where senses may be filled by
Soft whispering grass
Chuckling brooks
Languid clouds which pause to paint themselves
On pastel skies
Feel loneliness engulf
Cushion
Swathe
Cajole
Fill the lungs and heart with purity
Restore the light and power
Of pleasure
brought forth by the gentle tumult
Of simple joy

Magnificent magnitude

Passion
Power
Strength
Fortitude
But the greatest of all
Peace

Flow

Set free the worry and regret
Cast it aside
In eddies and currents
Of the cleansing waters of tears
Restore your equilibrium
Watch trouble disspate
Ebbing to another shore
Far from your own
Relax
Hope
Breathe

Beset before

It was stormy in my soul
Dark
Windswept
Clouds amassing on every thought
Deluges of fears
And tears
The cold ocean of depression
Surrounded yet alone
Misunderstood
Seeing nothing
Beyond the mundane
Banality
Reality
A shadow of twisted emotion
Self deluded
Evasive and confounded
Buckled beyond recognition
Convinced
No new horizon beckoned
Until
That certain glimmer
The lifeline
You

CLOUDS
The beauty of clouds lies in their individuality. They evolve around small particles and achieve complete beauty. Their shapes are ever changing. Like many I have lain on my back gazing up at clouds galloping across the sky and imagined all sorts of adventures. Monsters, castles in the air, mythical beasts and the ordinary given a magical twist. They are the purveyors of precious rainfall and the driving force in the climate, but above all they are stunningly beautiful. The huge thunderheads may deluge us and envelop us in fantastic thunderstorms, whilst low clouds cocoon us is mist and drizzle. I for one never tire of watching them evolve, become sunkissed by dawns and dusks and finally disperse in a persistent shower. They give my imagination a daily workout. They make this planet of ours unique in its own ever changing moods.... So to clouds I say thank you.

Whimsy and cloudbanks

This world has many faults, but it retains tremendous beauty. It's also the only one we have. No matter who we are, what we do or where we live, we breathe the same air and coexist under the same sun. It's a world full of bitterness, recrimination, crime and corruption on the face of it. For many the struggle is appalling. I always try not to belittle, criticise or judge others harshly. I am not walking in their shoes. I do not know what they are dealing with, if I did I assume I would think very differently. We are all worthy and have something to offer. Many belittle their achievements and ponder their mortality saying 'what have I done?'. I venture to say the miracle of life is incredible. We all have a talent for something. We all want different things, but that doesn't make any one of us of lesser value than our fellows. Many of us live hard lives filled with drudgery and so many more struggle to cope with pain, disease and illness - physical and mental. Not all of us will get the care we need or deserve.

The world is far from fair. There is no true justice either. A thorny issue however you look at it. In fact, the whole of life is quite beset with struggles and mishaps. Some being more profound than others. Yet, when I stand quietly in contemplation and watch the clouds forming and the sun bursting through I am filled with awe. Around me everywhere is beauty. From the plants and flowers to the sheen of  colour on a bird's feather. Nature's engineering is fantastic to contemplate. I cannot help but be moved by glittering skies on a dark night. I am amazed by the spectacle of a sunset. These things are free. They happen all around me everyday yet I take them for granted and I should not. 

Stop to use your senses. Rediscover the simple pleasures they can give you and let your weary heart be gladdened by the beauty which you too often take for granted. Children see the world with wonder because it is all new. We become tired and lose the wonder. Go and find it again. It is a world worth rediscovering.

Unstoppable force

In it comes relentless
Without remorse
No brakes
No contemplation
Just forever in motion
All before it swept away
A power unique
Giving life
Bringing destruction
From gentle wave
Caressing fingers
To destructive tsunami
Salt
Clear
Invigorating
Refreshing
Quenching
But never taking heed
Pushing through
A force to be reckoned with
A cleanser of souls

Serenity

When I'm beset by worries
Or stress weighs down on me
There's one thing to relieve it
A stroll down by the sea...

Down on the farm

As I write the thunder is rumbling around the mountains and the sky has a peculiar yellow glow. No,  it's the way the sun is hitting the clouds, nothing more sinister..... well I hope not.

After all the glorious summer weather it seems we are in for a soggy spell.... perhaps that means the lawnmower can finally go away... I was beginning to think it was a permanent attachment. I walk miles trundling along behind it..... this obsession with neat lawns.... how very British....

I notice the leaves are just beginning to change.... so we obviously need a big wind to dislodge them all from the trees before they start looking truly spectacular..... sigh. Pity, as I like a glorious colourful autumn..... although one thing I have noticed there are far fewer acorns this year than usual.... I am normally machine gunned by falling acorns as soon as I set foot outside the door... but not this year. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact the oak came into leaf before the ash. Well that adage was true:
Oak before ash you're in for a splash
Ash before Oak you're in for a soak.....

Yes,  compared to the last 10 years or so it has been incredibly dry here this summer; the lawn was even parched in places..... and the ash has beaten the oak every year of that last 10 years til this one.... so yes we got a slash of rain rather than a real soaking. That seems to have curtailed the acorns. Either that or the squirrels (also proliferating madly) have had the lot already...... I have noticed a bumper crop of hazel nuts, blackberries and the like. So if that means a bad winter we had better watch out.....
Watch this space......

Guided by the light.....

I haven't written on here for ages..... it's as if I lost my way completely. I've decided to post a few of my poems and photographs as part of a new way forward. From here on I will try to post a picture (of my own) with words (of my own). It may be a poem, a joke, a piece of pure fiction, micro story, even a short story....or perhaps even a true account of what's been going on around here of late. Perhaps this will lead new audiences my way.... I hope you enjoy my randomness and have found yourself guided by the light of this beautiful lighthouse.

Don't

Don't constrain me behind fences
Don't close the door on me
Don't leave me in a confused state
Don't lie or cheat then flee
Don't feed me lines to fool me
Don't play false with my heart
Don't think I can't be broken
Don't leave before we start
Don't shackle me with rules and woes
Don't tie me to the sink
Don't treat me as a lesser being
Don't believe that I can't think
Don't bar me from my future
Don't throw my love way
Don't think that you are all my world
Don't fool yourself I'll stay
Don't class me as an idiot
Don't belittle all I've done
Don't think I'll fail without you
Don't resent me when I'm gone
Don't feel alarmed at loneliness
Don't blame me for your faults
Don't expect life to be perfection
Don't wonder when it jolts
Don't wish that you had noticed
Don't regret what we once had
Don't let time slip through your fingers
Don't let all the good turn bad
Don't waste your days in darkness
Don't wail and weep and plea
Don't make the same mistakes next time
Don't be a fool with me.....

Stepping stones.....

Today has been one for exploring..
Taking one step at a time
Crossing the swirling waters
Hoping it will be fine
Treading a path with confidence
Even if there is concern
Balancing all the time
Taking the time to learn

Distracted by the dancing light
But stepping from stone to stone
Knowing the way is clear ahead
And behind leads back to home
Taking a chance to see
What is there on the other side
And glancing at what is yet to be
As soon as this new path is tried...

The Ways Through Life

There are many journeys to take
Some are straight forward and uncompromising
Some cast in deep shade
There are promising byways which imply great pleasure
Others are misleading and false
There are dead ends
False starts
Some routes are pocked with potholes
Or beset with mud and ruts
There are pathways which are impossibly steep
Those which twist and turn blindly
some are shortcuts
Detours
Lay-bys
Cul-de-sacs and u-turns
There are toll roads which may cost you dearly
Blind Alleys
Hidden dips
but whichever route you choose
Be it direct or a detour
Fast or slow
Uphill or down
Be assured life will ultimately lead
To exactly where you should be
The only thing to do
Is choose the route...