learning to respond with kindness

al haj by mohammed lubbad

stay true to yourself 

even if the rest of us disappear 

and you’re left alone to face 

whatever the hell there is to face 

even if the sheep and chickens 

are lifted into heaven body and soul 

even if the world declares war on itself again 

stay true to yourself 

and keep your heart open

-jobe

the late evening crow

of deep autumn longing

suddenly cries out

-buson (1715-1783)

looking toward mt diablo from franks tract in the california delta

up at first light to sit in silence 

does the universe fill me 

or is that me filling the universe

-jobe

The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.

-Wole Soyinka

xiaoyang galas - colors are singing

that i might let go of my judgements
how easily they come
that i might learn to respond with kindness
and forgiveness
to people
to life
and to myself

-jobe

If there is Zen in it, or whatever it is, it comes through if you enjoy doing your work. Anything you do with the best of your capacities is beautiful…Your whole body gets to be a part of everything, and you become free.

-Toshiko Takaezu

sonny rollins -sais

LINK: Artist Statement, a poem by Tarik Dobbs

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thanks, jobe