Intently haphazard

All of my posts over the last year have been my writing. But, I would like to end the year with a poem by Denise Levertov which has given me my motto for the year ahead. Best wishes for a Happy New Year.

Overland to the Islands

Let's go—much as that dog goes,
intently haphazard. The
Mexican light on a day that
'smells like autumn in Connecticut'
makes iris ripples on his
black gleaming fur—and that too
is as one would desire—a radiance
consorting with the dance.
                       Under his feet
rocks and mud, his imagination, sniffing,
engaged in its perceptions—dancing
edgeways, there's nothing
the dog disdains on his way,
nevertheless he
keeps moving, changing
pace and approach but
not direction—'every step an arrival.'

by Denise Levertov
from Overland to the Islands
publisher: Jonathan Williams, 1958

Frank and Zeke are dogs that I loved and are no longer dancing edgeways in this reality.

The world turns green

It seems almost cruel

to show such splendid days

when cold and snow is blasting

across the continent.

But, this is our reality.

The rains come, the world

turns green and the palms

glory in the late afternoon sun.

Hmmm. Winter?

Winter's rest

 Life in so many forms slows for winter.

But, a brief walk toward my neighborhood park

tells me that winter is a time for new beginning

in our climate. Slowness, here, comes in mid-summer 

when the grasses go to seed and lack of rain 

tempers rampant growth.

In December, even a big Pacific storm is moderate:

an inch of rain, winds 30 mph, temp in the 40’s and 50’s.

So, quiet winter with its short days is a soft renewal 

in California. I love living here. It is home and where I was born,

in an early Spring quite a long time ago.

Merry Christmas

Sending warm Christmas greetings from sunny California.

(Well, it is actually wet and cool today)

Santa seems to be part of the busy crowd in my neighborhood ─

out shopping and stocking up on goodies for the celebration.

I hope your Christmas-tide is full of happiness and warmth.

Around the next corner

A dear friend has the constant quest

as a guideline in her life.

Always looking, just around the next corner,

perhaps where she has often looked before,

but, ever trying to fill the day with interest.

A nice thought for these winter days

when it seems my world is pretty static

and winding down with the year.

Waiting for the storm

Quiet afternoon, watching the waves,

gradually higher and higher…..

a storm generating over the Pacific

while we wait for sunset.

How the light gets in

This lovely poem just suddenly appeared
on the now empty vegetable planter,
sidewalk-side of a wonderfully diverse
elementary school in my neighborhood.
Must be some wise and beautiful kids
coming up in this world!

From Leonard Cohen's Anthem