There is a grassy park about a block from my house. I took my son there the other day to play catch, unusually early, well for us. The 9 to 5'ers had already headed to cubicle and counter, but not yet been released to delve into their brown paper bagged midday treat ; the dogs had long since had their first walk and done the first day business; so the lawn was all but empty except for the two of us, a few ne'er do wells, and irregular shift workers.

The Westend of Vancouver has some of the most impressive urban trees in the world. They can get pretty big but even a might sequoia does not live forever. And when these giants fall, they leave wreckage and scar tissue on the land. Ruins. A remembrance of their time of domination. Also an excellent place for mediation. Open your eyes says my inner being and look.

minute flower
a giant's castoff, spring debris
coy in a stream

rhododendron
stigma
beauty and poison
red-capped amanita

Rhododendron and azalea do very well in my neck of the urban jungle. Drink in their beauty but never consume their petals and parts. I have it on good authority, the internet, they are very toxic. So it is said of the red-capped mushrooms that Smurfs like to inhabit. Don't go eating Papa's house; it will be the last thing you ever do. So consider yourself doubly warned with these pink beauties.

When Tickled Pink

the shades are drawn
petals given soft light

hush and then it comes

heavy clouds grant a deluge
the anatomy of a flower
deep and fragrant
on the scale of nano
a wellspring for Lilliputians
creepy crawlies
and winged intermediaries

go to the well bumble bee
drink the fermenting dew
and pollen laced absinthe

stumble and jolt
tumble and hover

take your time
have your way
with all the greedy girls
blooming and painted garish
shimmered and glossed

these heads hang heavy
when tickled pink

22

(Link to Spoken Word)

The master knows
All comes from the Tao
There is no competing with all
Understanding this
The master always has a place

With no ends in mind
He speaks only the truth

Serving only the Tao
The Tao does not fail
The master does not fail

Into each moment
He is reborn
He exists in all
All exists in him
The master is truly himself