the love of a good dog

by Kay Nielson (1912)

california was on fire 

every inch 

or so it seemed 

we breathed in smoke 

and exhaled burnt homes 

we exhaled death 

ash and cinders in the wind 

knew our names 

and called one by one 

I didn't answer 

I seldom do 

-

did they re-use the cross 

when they took jesus down 

fascists always have another victim 

waiting 

-

praise the dog 

that gives its love 

without hesitation 

a good dog 

is like a bodhisattva 

-

8 o'clock in the evening in california 

where I live 

11 o'clock at night in maryland 

where I am from 

4 o'clock in the morning in london 

where I will never go 

but clocks and time are a joke 

it is always now 

right now 

-

with compassion in one hand 

and kindness in the other   let me work

-

poems by james lee jobe 

My ethics, my sense of morality, my work ethic, my sense of compassion for suffering humanity, all of that comes directly out of the practice of poetry, as does my Buddhist practice. Poetry is a very important element in the history of Buddhism in general and in Zen in particular. It was really Zen that motivated me to change the way I perceive the world.

Sam Hamill

-

The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.

Thich Nhat Han

-

Nostalgia is masochism and masochism is something masochists love to share.

Andrei Codrescu

Me, on the Pacific Crest Trail back in the 90s.
There's a little waterfall back there and I am about to cool off.

LINKS:

Rain-activated poetry appears underfoot in Philly parks

In-N-Out for Iftar, a poem by Tamer Mostafa

Rivers, nostalgia, and solitude: Poet Jayanta Mahapatra’s essential art at 94

Pease help support this blog with a small donation on the BUY ME A COFFEE link below. Every little bit helps! Thanks, jlj