Serenity

My mind swirls in scenes of the past--:
Serene motion, Diné horsemen on pinto ponies
Garifuna drums and Punta dancing, Hawaiian papaya,
And the smell of jasmine near Hilo.

Hotel room in Ixmiquilpan, land of the Otomi, 1982
Sipping atole in the chilly air of the morning sun on the street
Walk by fields of cilantro under the crisp blue December sky
The sense of souls all around 

Haifa clouds, during pilgrimage, close to God;
We walk on stone paths to the Shrine in Bahji
Praying to be cleansed from stained deeds,
Like soiled laundry, renewed peace free of blame
Of others and me.  The need to live in “we” not in “me,
And better yet from “we” to “He””

Wonder and Contentment: other mystic valleys too.
To be on top of the world, not under it (a mental attitude)
Sharing love without expectation of reward.

Minestrone soup with toast before bed and evening prayer.

 CS Cholas, 11 pm. October 23, 1994