Zen & the Art of Visualization #1
closing eyes
a scene unfolds on mind-dark panorama
over-grown with weeds & fragrant wildflowers
a path opens up before me…
the intrusive drone of distant traffic
fades in forest echoes
fades… softer…fades… fainter…. fainter –
whisperings of cool wind ripple treetops gently
caressingly fingering blushing green
as pools of sunlight stream
through filigree branches…
soft mosses glisten with sweet pure moisture
‘neath trees of regal poise
I step onto the beckoning path
no fear to where it goes
just yearning within my heart & soul
to walk a little ways
to sooth my flagging spirit
in incandescent haze…
closed eyes miss not a single sight
such profound tranquillity wrapped in an echo of sound
I let my feet slowly wander
not caring where I was bound…
willows brushed the path-edge….a delicate gentle tune
and between the lace-like branches
I glimpsed both sun and moon
star-jasmine grew in trailing vine
… and as I paused to breath the perfumed threads
tendrils wove a garland
which was placed upon my head….
on I walked with measured pace
through fragrant air that was soft & light
the haunting notes of an ancient flute
spoke of the balance of day & night
emerald shadows beckoned me
to leave the overgrown path
beckoned me to follow
the hollow echo of a distant laugh…
the way opened up before me
and closed as I passed through
no fear nor phobia plagued me…
no negativity trailed my step
I felt so strange yet oh so calm
as if I was returning home
to a place
…. I could neither remember nor forget…
and still I walked… quite boldly
the way the forest showed
lost in surreal tranquillity
enchanted by an ethereal glow…
a clearing opened around me
and in amongst tumbled stone
a waterfall danced merrily
singing for me and me alone
and in this place of whispered echoes
I knew had come home…
sharonlee©
9-Oct-11
Zen and the Art of Visualization #2
closing eyes
a scene unfolds
full coloured shades on mind-dark canvas…
peripheral sounds fade… softer… softer
until all that remains is a supple soughing wind…
a gentle breeze tenderly offers
a fragrance rich in earthy memories
my mind follows the scented trail
of humus & wild wattle… heady drifts of native
flowers
hang heavy in the air…
… mind steps forward with familiar confidence
so memorable is this essence
that I am drawn willingly along a twisting track
that wends its way past tea-tree, acacia & mimosa
… winds its way to a giggling creek tickling
over water-pounded pebbles
that speak of eons past…
so swept up am I in recollections of this scent
soothed and coddled by nuances
of younger freer days…
… birds sing herehere
herehere…
and following their guiding call
I stumble into a cloud of lemon myrtle
fresh lemony-sharp citrus perfume
funnels down the tunnels of memory
to such a carefree day, a lemon-scented day
when trees were meant for climbing
and creeks for freshwater swims that cleanse
both spirit & skin…
… closing eyes…breathing in
fresh air… wild myrtle… and…. and something softer
sweeter…. more delicate in both scent & recollection…
bouquets of love fill my mind
… a smile, soft and reminiscent, blushes my lips…
closed eyes see all…
like pages of an autobiography
mind images flip
to another day
another me…
eagerly the images show
paper-bark-trees by swampy stillwater
quivering fragrance of wild orchid
growing in delicate array
lifts my feet
off solid earth
as once upon a long time ago
love lifted me so, when strong arms
held that younger woman me
up in the fragrant branches of a paper-bark-tree;
sharonlee©
10/1/12
