NEW: Catching my Breath

Should you fly east
as I have done from Sacramento
and are lucky enough to have a window seat,
look out
you might just find a big blue lake in the midst of the Sierra Mountains.

It always takes my breath away
to see this world I wander in from above.

Today, as I lay upon the forest floor
gazing up an immense cedar snag
A plane flies by.
It’s drone breaking up the steady sound
of the snow melt filling the creek
and the songs of a few birds going about with their lives.

One long slow breath of mine
and the plane has come and gone from sight.

Was someone watching from above?
Did they catch my breath?

NEW: Bear Trail

I never really thought about why
until today.
Why I always seem to procrastinate
until the heat of the day
to venture deep into the forest,
to follow my senses,
to seek my nourishment.

Today while wandering, I found
a deep strong bear trail.
Heavy footprints crossing the clearing
heading for the creek.
The pattern in the duff marked
clear enough for the eyes,
but not for the camera.

It’s fun to practice my Bear Walking QiGong
along their trails in the forest.
Slowing
my already slow pace
down.
Lumbering along,
shifting my gaze
from side to side,
attentive, curious.
My, my how the forest opens differently
turning and twisting,
scanning the earth for grubs.
humility enters the gaze,
presence comes with the territory.
Look! A pine seedling lifting its seed cap to the sun.
Look! A fawn darting from stillness into the shadows.

Ho! She bear! Ho! He bear! Ho! Spring cubs!
As you sense my smell trampling your well worn path to the creek,
May you sense my respect,
my gratitude for the deep pause,
and the timing of my walk
when you are napping.

Lake Tahoe Distribution begun!

What fun to travel around the lake and share the book and recieve such enthusiastic response. On the West Shore you can pick up a copy at Sunnyside Market, Tahoe Bread Co.
In Truckee you can find copies at the Bookshelf at Hooligan Rocks, For Goodness Sake and Truckee Book and Bean. Incline Village its at The Potlatch. Tahoe City in the Bookshelf at the Bootworks Mall. Lots of other locations are waiting for the season to start, so I'll have a longer list shortly!

Everywhere I go

Everywhere I Go
I come for the quiet —
and what do I hear?
The crashing of the creek
tumbling its way past rock and limb.
The slipping of the wind
between the needles of the treetops.
The buzz of the mosquito hovering
for its next meal.

I come for the stillness —
and everywhere there is movement.
Bubbles popping and water splashing,
insects darting on breezes,
wave of the willows
greeting the ferns.

I come for renewal —
destruction is everywhere.
Trees rotting, flowers dying.
My own steps dislodging infant plants, crushing pinecones.

I come to retreat —
everywhere life reaches out.
Flowers beckoning
the bees and butterflies.
Rocks in the creek bed
anticipating the water’s caress.
Water scrambling without pause
eager to beat gravity downhill.
Fern’s sprout unfurling
into the heat of summer.

I come to stretch
my limbs and move my body —
and everywhere I turn
I am beckoned to stop and take note,
to rest and be comforted,
to pay honor to this special place
and name its rugged beauty.

Everywhere I go,
I am already here.

Available NOW!!! Yes

I approved the proof today, thanks for your patience. Enjoy the poems. ORDER UP!