I took a walk this morning and a drive this afternoon to clear my head.
Neither worked I have no poem today . written by me The sky was full of travelers today so I found this:

Clouds




Spread like canopies, trailing like sashes,

Changing shape in the sky's midst,

Showing no trace of dust,

Off to the south, in from the north,

Nowhere ever lingering.

Ten thousand miles of heaven and earth

All your neighbors.



- Gensei (1623-1668)

Another week has passed. It seems the summer heat is coming to an end.
August is coming to a close. The fair is in town. As usual I have no intentions of attending. year after year the same food the same games the same vendors......The faces of the people grow older A faceless mass to pass you by. When all is done the noise is gone only the smell lingers a while longer.The fair is but a point in time to mark the transition start from summer to fall.
Today I am going to try something a little different starting with the 2 pictures

I Spoke With God Today

Empty and quiet the lake is for now

I alone keep it company for a while

In silent meditation with eyes closed

I pose a statement...

God, show me your face

Open eyes show me  all...

Eyes of a depth and a color of blue

stretching to eternity

Hair trimmed in white and grey

dancing in its freedom

A textured skin tanned and wrinkled with

age ripples across the lake

Another statement I did pose....

Let me hear your voice

Strong was the breeze that blew past

my face, too much to fast, I say

I can not understand

It rushes like the ocean's voice

from the conch shell upon a beach

A crow above the trees gives

a single unanswered call

Show me your strength, show me

your heart I say this time

While buttercups dance at\

my feet

each stone laying at

waters edge is washed in

repetition un-ending

Now no longer alone

One last statement thought but

unspoken....

Show me your love...

A family of three is walking past.

To keep the moment I do not turn

These words I hear from behind,

"Good afternoon brother", as they

pass me by

Enjoy your fishing is my reply

"We do" was their last retort...

ccd August 2011

 Oh darn I can't cut grass. It is raining today, so it is going to be a lazy day.
I did take a ride to clear the weeks dust from my head. The week went by fast
A good thing or bad I do not know some things were accomplished others not.
It is good to sleep on a rainy day.

Outside the Window

...
Soft is thunder leading

the day

Gentle falls the water

on this summer griddle

...

Leaves dance and sizzle

through night and day

drawing  heat from

this summer month
...
Beneath green canopy
no song of praise 

to sun or moon

Quiet is natures voice

...

The spider web holding

no prey

snares only pearls

A royal necklace is on

display

...

Dripping from eaves,

outside bedroom window,

a simple beat

 drummed upon the

ground sends the
mind to quiet blissful

sleep

..

ccd

August 2011

OK I know this is unusual for me to post in the middle of the week.
By now you realize how much I love the outdoors year round
I also read from a Zen site. Check the date on this poem after reading.
Mankind really has not changed. Everyone has acquaintances.....how many
can you call true friends? Friends you can count on to be there, to comfort,
and even yell at without them striking back? Arrogant we are in our ways
and blind to the truth in the worlds beauty and worth.

The broad arms of this dusty world
Hold few true friends.
One feels the pangs of loneliness, and see
How cold the autumn air becomes!
But no, behold your search is ended here,
For countless mountains,
Blue afar, and green ones near,
Remain your friends eternally.

- Jakushitsu Genko Zenji (1290–1368)

Ok, it is almost 8 pm I drove to Erie for a dinner today. Well I stopped at the casino first. I started with 2 dollars got that up to 50 then played all that gone. Over all I put in 10 dollars...I knew I should have pulled the 50..... hindsight is 20/20....but what the heck it knocked the urge out of me to gamble in a casino for another 6 to 9 months.

right now all I have for a poem are 2  lines.....winds of change and touching the wind...
when the rest flows I will write it..... And here you have it. I hope it is ok

Winds of Change

Restless is the heart
from life that
passed
...
Freedom nips
at my soul
I smell change
upon the wind
...
Touching the wind
for a hint....
No winter chill
or summer storm....
Those familiar chords
remain unstruck
...
Something new
stirs the flag upon
the mast
Through daily toil
I stand the watch
...
When the time is
right I'll unfurl the
sail and catch
this wind of change
that blows upon
my soul

ccd
August 2011