Being Naked

tom killion   tennessee cove   marin headlands

rain-rubbed 

the oak tree drops her dress on the creek bank 

one root at a time she eases her naked beauty 

into the cool green water 

she sees you watching and smiles 

waving  a branch at you 

now the other trees are disrobing too 

the cottonwood 

the pine 

the elm 

naked trees playing in the creek on a hot day 

laughing and calling out to you 

will you go in 

won't you be naked too 

----------

I had climbed the hill 

and it was not easy 

I don't walk well at all 

On the far side 

I saw a low country 

a valley that was new to me 

and I wanted to go on 

but my life told me no 

not yet 

I was expected for dinner 

a meeting 

some people wanted me to speak 

about this or that 

but that valley 

that low country 

was beautiful 

sooner or later 

I knew that I would need 

to keep walking

----------

all lives are touched by sorrow

the question is what do you do next

let me tell you something

the world is still a daisy

even now

breathe 

smile 

live

-james lee jobe

daily 

the priests minutely examine the law

and endlessly chant complicated sutras

but before doing that they should learn

how to read the love letters 

sent by the wind and rain

the snow and moon

-ikkyū sojun, 1394-1481

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Thanks, jlj