unlocking special doors

we met when we were still young 

but just barely 

i was the river and you were the trees 

the forest 

your woods were filled with many creatures 

deer rabbits owls 

my river held trout that flashed like silver 

and they recited quick poems in the deep quiet 

my body was a river 

your body was the woods 

the world went spinning 

around the warmth of the sun

james lee jobe 

"The future is completely open and we are writing it moment to moment." 

Pema Chödrön

It isn't a talking dog if you dreamed it, it is you. The dream 

where your father suffered and wept, that was you as well. 

Everything and everyone in your dream is you. Dreaming 

of freedom isn't freedom, and dreaming of love isn't love. 

It is all inside of you, just like Carlos Casteneda said, 

and Jesus, too. And what you choose to do or not do 

in this waking world is up to you, my friend, and no one else.

james lee jobe

"The little things? The little moments? They aren't little."

Jon Kabat-Zinn

morning arrives 

after a long night 

i listen to bill evans play jazz piano 

and then thelonious monk 

the keys from the piano 

unlock special doors for me 

and i enter into other rooms 

to sit in sound 

life can be so very lovely 

so very fine 

james lee jobe 

“When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”

Fred Rogers

my father's ghost has long arms and a short memory 

even now he reaches from the shadows for the shards of glass 

i keep hidden in my heart and he does not ask permission.

james lee jobe 

"All is impermanent, quickly passing. Wake up! Wake up, each one! Don’t waste this life." 

Dogen Zenji

poems form along the line of sight 

along the train of thought 

what do i see 

where is the train going 

the pencil is in my hand 

and we shall find out together 

james lee jobe 

Mark A. Pearce

Thanks for reading the poetry zendo today.

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Thanks, james