in dream time

Albini Leblanc

How Do I Become A Better Man? (a haibun)

            In the dream, someone was very negative, very down; but exactly who it was kept changing. Someone close to me. A relative, a friend. Someone that I love. I wanted to get involved, to be a positive force for change, but again, exactly how wasn't clear. I prayed very intently. "I want to be a better man. To be a help. To do right." The dream faded away and I entered a state being sort of asleep and sort of awake, but not totally either. And the prayer continued. As I became really awake, I was still praying, "I am trying to be a better man. I am really trying here."

Daylight saws through dreams,

bringing the inner truths out –

morning is so real.

James Lee Jobe

            "As I am, so are others; as others are, so am I." Having thus identified self and others, harm no one nor have them harmed. 

Buddha

Piet Mondrian, Farm near Duivendrecht, c. 1916.

            The real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. 

Thich Nhat Hanh

Life in dreamtime. (a haibun)

            In the dream, I was far in the past, in Europe. I was trying to tell people that it is alright to love each other, but because of the differences in 'technology' between the two eras, I was failing. Dreams can be like that; there is a logic in dreams that doesn't exist in reality. I was running out of time, it was almost time to return here, to the present. I felt frustrated. Finally, I got around the problem by looking deeply into the eyes of each person, one at a time. "Love is the answer," I said, again and again. 

Leave hatred behind,

just embrace one another, 

you foolish people! 

James Lee Jobe

ALWAYS DARKER

The wind, which moves purple treetops,

Is God's breath that comes and goes.

The black village rises before the forest;

Three shadows are laid over the field.

Meagerly the valley dusks

Below and silent for the humble.

A seriousness greets in garden and hall,

That wants to finish the day,

Piously and darkly an organ-sound.

Marie is enthroned there in blue vestment

And cradles her babe in hand.

The night is starlit and long.

GEORG TRAKL

Ionut Caras

            Diligence and patience. Wisdom. Above all, kindness and generosity. And though I am not perfect, may I seek out ways to practice these every day, and be thankful that I can.

James Lee Jobe 

            Hello. James Lee here. If you enjoy this blog, and I hope that you do, please consider making a donation through the BUY ME A COFFEE button below. It's done safely online, and just takes a moment. Thanks! -jlj