2013-04-03

Dream Poetry Visions: The Secret Library

By Joshua B. Oakley

April - May 2013

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Part One (26 Poems)

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Star Raven

Rain tears falling

Breaking the bonds that separate

Imagine peace and an end to violence

Peace in your minds, on earth, in your houses

Love and giving always to your secret inner Self

Swimming in the seas of dreams and oceans of future

Saved from drowning when you most need help

Men and women on a boat that sails across worlds

A great ship that can go where men alone cannot

We catch a leviathan of the deep

It is almost too horrible to look at

To see it is to despair

And yet my friends are still in the sea

And who knows how many more monsters are there

Primordial, ancient, terrible to behold

And the one we caught was already dead

I remember the hill where we played

The bus where I broke the rubber bands

A wilderness, a forest, a river, a path, journeys

You and the others, my friends and family

I danced and floated away, you sang my name

Onward toward the sea, my destiny

I leave you, and you are still in the cold water

It is almost as if you were never here at all

Yet I still feel the phantoms of your presence

Some more people I know remained behind below

In the dark waters among the ancient ones

I felt bad for leaving you most of all, my love

But when I saw the rope I grabbed on

The strange elder ones in human form pulled me to safety

To help raise the other monsters and people from the sea

We are all related to one another, by ancestry and origin

United by the memory of ocean and the promise of sky

Happy to be alive and desirous of one another's company

Endeavor always to change ourselves and others

A difficult task requiring much effort, grace, art

Working as a fisherman in the cosmic ocean

Writing and knowing the true and beautiful

As well as I can, remember my dreams

Try to create some kind of meaning

Always growing, changing, learning, becoming

In the midst of being, time, evolution

Revolution of the mind, psyche, society

How can I hope to change the world?

Who am I and where am I going?

What can I do to help humanity renew?

How can I dream while still awake?

Each and every day that passes

I change and yet always remain

In love with life, living, and dreaming

Visions of the future that may be

We are all part and parcel of the whole

We belong to the earth, sky, and water

In every way and path I travel,

Every day I think of you, my beautiful star raven


Dream
Poetry Visions: Sixth Dimensional Perspective Archetypes of God and
Goddess and World Hero Lotus Light Love Laughter Longing Learning
Illuminating

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Song of Lament and Joy for Paradise Being

Born in the Ocean of Worlds, Galaxies, Universes

Thousands of rose petals drift

In the sweet sunlit air and sky

Brought down from the mountains

On the wind change from across

The oceanic tides and the stories

Of sailors who wandered far

So that everything brings me to tears

And the thought and fear that I will never

Leave my birth country for distant lands

In search of the promise of treasure

For I am tied to my friends and family

Yet there are many winds to tempt

The imagination of a poor man's son

And I am the same as any other inside

With just the same chances to succeed

My family's advice is permanent isolation

From myself as well as the rest of the world

But I will search for exquisite solitude instead

Go to the secret places in my mind

Where loneliness cannot corrupt me

Nor sorrow, fear, darkness, evil, hate

My heart is tied to the earth, love, poetry

The source of all that is, was, and shall be

Where my ancestors came from

To found a better life than the one

They had known across the ocean

From far away the wind brings its tales

Sailors who have wandered far from home

Myself among them, lost in the ether

The land of my birth only a memory

And all lost for the promise of treasure

My heart remains tied to my father's country

But I have chosen to cross the ocean

In the desert temptations of flesh are many

The imagination of a poor farmer's son is great

Yet I cannot deny the destiny of my soul


Tears Fall Like Rain and the World Is Created: Transcendence, Unity Within Duality, Immanence

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Windows of Soul

All from love and to love all will return

What soul have I not loved

Once I glanced for an instant into

One or two or three windows

Into the soul of mankind

Male and female combined

Their eyes were together

Merging, melding, becoming

Their eyes were all alive

With spirit and mind and self

Aligned with the soul of worlds

What pair of eyes has given vision

Dimmed awareness of the terrible divine

When have I not seen myself staring

Reflected in another pair of windows

How many are clear enough to see

And how many are locked and barred

How many fail to realize that we are

All a part of the same force of nature

I have traveled far on many paths

I have waited lifetimes just for one

Glimpse into the eyes of another self

One instant of recognition between

Love crossing generations and revolutions

Higher even than knowledge of God

Nothing except ourselves can stop us

I realize now that our destiny lies together

The fate of the one is tied to the many

And from individuality we can be as one

Trying to explore the mystery of being

And meaning light, life, love, laughter, longing

All the time we are creating truth and beauty

Individuals create the world of philosophy

Art of living for today and tomorrow and dream

Working together for the common good

We are each as one and we are all family


Healthy Red Blood Cells

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Self World Balance

Smile, Feel, Breathe, Love, Sing

Earth, Water, Fire, Sky, Spirit

You're a star

Because you are one breath

Original, honest, lovely

Breath within spirit

Every moment awakening

There's nothing you cannot do

Given time space to make

Nothing you can do to

Change the simple fact of

Belonging to the universe

Enjoy every moment of life

As if it was borrowed

From the earth and sky

For a limited time only

You and your soul experience

Manifold manifestation of light vision

What it is to be truly alive

In your bright beautiful life

It is your destiny to seek

But when you find what you are

You might no longer need

That which your heart speaks

Whispers in the deep solitude

And is not only truth in words

No attainment because no non-attainment

Dark blue and white edge of world

Turquoise Bodhisattva sound of compassion

Electric blue silver moon brother and sister

Red and gold sun sister and brother

Purple and white earth and sky dragons

Rainbow red and blue magician wise warrior

Princes and princesses of light and shadow

Crimson phoenix mad and dangerous

Enemy king reveals hidden fears and hates

Cats and ravens with intelligence and memory

Masters, temples, cities, journeys, homecomings

The Four Protectors, Cardinal Directions, Classical Western Elements (Not including Spirit/Ether)

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Star Raven Two: Kiss Life Begins

For Shakespeare, Carl Jung, and Other

Silver Moon Blue Black Ocean Souls

By the name of the water and the wind

Unbind and free legs and body safety

Within walk fly then sit to share in banquet

Circle of spirits drink energy life light

Water life flow through earth moss sky

Dark light shatter split one into two

From dark and back to light again

Jade heart violet sapphire forget-me-not

Words communicate stories and memories

Direct knowledge passed through language

Magic of unconscious and intuitive balance

Listen and watch flowers grow and sing

I hear a knock on my door and there you are

Dark wonder gold and black serpent crow

Great wound healer of silent heart and mind

Green and blue and white with life light

All colors and masks evolve and transform

Time force consciousness alters chaos and order

From one comes two and then a great many

Plants and animals people yet to be long gone

Giant and communal and microscopic

Eye mitochondria fish weaving patterns of eternity

Transcendence not of the world but heart and mind

Soul shape build and create new ways of becoming

Wisdom existence understands through sky earth water

Each lifetime year day hour moment I am different

Lost in time, constantly forgetting and remembering

Die and reborn again and again the balance of light darkness

Opposites unite beyond within here and there

Pain and pleasure, now and between, good and evil

Autumn garden maple trees clover ripe wheat

Moss gentle strength and hidden courage subtle

Intimate connections between and among all life

Add and multiply consciousness unforeseen and unforeseeable

Cosmic imagination of creation and continual growth

Symbol web language interacting with living information

Visionary myth wisdom about alchemy dream poetry

Observe intuit feel understand speak watch listen

From science journey around the wheel of life world

Once again travel the windy roads towards eternity

Recurring always in different tragedies and comedies

Together the original and never-ending wakefulness

Until once ending the seeker finds a new beginning again

The sleeper awakens and no longer holds onto fear

The beginning is the end and the end is never complete

Our own world sphere making or made or yet to be

Share paths apart until we are alone together again

Death is a doorway that opens forward pushes life

Ever onwards towards some strange destined seashore

Heavens and hells between underworlds and skies

Compete combine and create new worlds somewhere

Spirit and dream meet between and beyond humanity

Merely more light perception rationality balance replaces

Integrative ethics intuition and myth artwork understanding

Cooperate to replace and redefine the old ways of doing

Know and feel some way out away from final

Apocalypse and illusion versus hope and transformation

Perfection in and from the midst of violent resisting

Balance and peace choose the way at the crossroads

Face accept love take and give life

Silence is best golden waves and intricate pathways

Though far as time allows for galaxies and people

Expanding growing evolving away from and together

With each other cluster and filament faster than light

Passing strange boats and sailing ships of great diversity

We carry with us memories and essence colors

Some regret that they regret when close so far apart

Good care full of illusion and separation

Reality divide and heat and synthesize

When you come close to world's edge

Remember the alchemist and his her stone

Cosmic ocean of infinite possibilities

Bounded seemingly yet not limited

One, two, three, four, five

Dimensions perceptions worldviews

Seeming intelligent and beautiful mystery

Souls and stars in the night sky nearby singing

Eye Intuition Violet

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Dragon Angel Lovers

Stars eyes serpents infinite vision dark and light unity lotus love laughter solitude

Ring wheel turning layers shadow angels isolation

Tonight may be good now and forever

Spirit life moss garden hidden

Masters have need for question play solitude

Care beyond action of asking clarify perspective

Ball bounces in darkness deep in contemplation

Wisdom teacher mind enlightened absolute

Not this and not that and constant as change

Gatekeeper smiles accepts allows passage

Keymaster sun disease and healing transformation discovery

Guardian contains part of breath and we

Enemy some say their own shadow selves

Snake beauty firebird stranger master forest mountain valley

Serpent every time realize we can feel infinity longing

Ocean through source of all that was, is, and shall be

Deep friendship heart infection house sloping hill trees green

Creation flame mad joy blind genius revolution

Poison rain clouds distance paradise balance humanity nature

Separation I sit and contemplate connectedness creativity love

Return life animals ending yet also beginning light vision

Balance home engulfed flooded wrecked and lost Odin One Eye

Clarity death mirrors our own as all purification rituals

Change sensitivity light insight sunrise birds singing crying pain

Growth though I may feel sorrow for all loss transcendence green

Learning I cannot help and be comforted by knowing feminine premonition

Silence they do not suffer or so I hope every day waterfall crickets

Sitting when we cannot even decide which side discovery sickness healing

Listening pity shame loss atonement dream demon dark moon

Teaching of the same coin to be though in nature infinite light river

Loving there were no sides except illusion and luminous history memory

Singing reality through the cosmic mirror reflecting change transformation

Self and the world truly not for or against rest meditate relax

River learn grow dance smile change ask tell say do think

Song neither can hope to conquer other change feel true beauty

Stars only to better understand our potential perfect joy life future

Glowing animals spirits world self family friends crossroads pattern

The Door of Perception, Eye of Love, Window of Heart

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Each Side Has Another Side -- Seasons of Revolution -- Abraxas -- Birds of Paradise

Winter Spring Summer Fall and When You Least Expect

Green Blue Turquoise Purple Diamond Silver Gold Shadow Light

Water Earth Fire Air Spirit Vision Thought

Jade Onyx Opal Amber Violet

Lapis Coral Cerulean Blue Marble

Diamond Lotus Solomon Joseph Shakespeare

Spiral Galaxy Shell Human World

Experience subjective objective speculation intuition

Darkness and hidden light breathe in out

Balance rational empirical mythic poetry

Now the wind blows through the trees

Limbs bend and sway dancing in ecstasy

Lover and loved and loved lovers together

Giving life breath between among

Spreading seeds blowing branches kisses

Their life shadow is their true self

Humans and trees related yet different perspectives

Disappearance carbon and oxygen combination

Reappearance anytime and in season

Individuals species families reflect humanity's collective vision

Teachers guardians protectors nature spirits

Myth ocean connection symmetry order in chaos

Spirit natural world together combined

Reflecting depending on condition of one another

Love nature force spirit spreading throughout wind and rain

Storm thunder crossroads clouds sky expansive stretching

Mountains valleys bridges and hidden mysteries treasures

Yesterday the world came to an end and today we will begin again

New sunrise women and men equality heaven and earth

Hope rebuilding uplifting returning again

Rebirth temple first memories of sky spirit

Birds of fire stars traveling through roads

Cosmos lattice structure stretching expanding

Evolving transforming and creating light

New consciousness novelty reveals mysteries

Ancient future history myth poetry

Reflected humanity spirit storm sea change choice

Crossroads modern time story of Caladan and Prospero warning

Teacher companion guide tormentor friend

Wise philosophy and knowledge about wisdom learning

Circle line spiral double helix of history evolution choice

Between catastrophe and cure there is not much room for error

Crossroads of future history and ancient philosophy together

Myth and science vision spirit of time humanity genius of species

Unconscious collective individual and great memory consciousness

Psyche of the new world star symbols and modes of thinking doing feeling

Past present future together in one understanding appreciation of complexity simplicity

United diversity through love compassion sensitivity tolerance ethics open mind body

Soul of fire truth knowledge and heart sympathy grace balance wisdom

Water earth creativity myth poetry storytelling singing universe chaos dark beauty dancing stars

Calendar of future present past lives identities masks personalities

Wheel fractal mandala worlds without end again beginning life

Rainbow light color novelty transformation butterfly community

Colors changing gold and green and white purple sky sunset west

Calm steady strength beneficent auspicious sentinel guardians at the gate

Doorways tunnels to worlds connected to our own through tree of life

World of spirit faerie interdimensional universal pathways

Spirit guide animal companion teacher friend and shadow twin

Red and blue white and black conflict within self and with truth world and good

Last three choices of balance and reconciliation between opposites

Transcendental experience spirit awakening personality number two

Shadow whole family interior exterior connection love belonging outcasts positive solitude

Hope change energy matter centers snowflakes seasons world events towards peace health balance

I remember dragon angel consequences and wings broken healthy

Masks faces personalities monstrous reflections

Lie in misery defeat and shame against

Crumbled wall near the center of the gold and silver city

Victory and defeat came to within a hair's breadth

Watch as the enemy hero places the crown on his head

Your head bowed white light surrounding all

The ones still fighting stop and gaze at beauty

Enemy and friend are now one again at peace

Balance the blood of slain lost yet not forgotten

The eternal moment constantly changing

Staying the same yet always evolving transformation

Glorious architecture and wondrous imaginings

The tree of life cut open in the garden for greed

Pure white snow falling over the battlefields

Suffering and sorrow and isolation yet leading to solitude

Demon heart wound bite skin break free

"I will show you all my pain," said the defeated one

And he walked together with his shadow

Long into the outer dark wilderness west

The Mind of a Peace Ninja Samurai Warrior

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First Day

Today is the first day of the rest of my life

What will I do and who will I be

When will I remember everything I have done

One part of a great mystery I do not understand

I am happy sometimes a little lost

Other times completely utterly confused about meaning

Giving up fighting how I live without compromising

Ideals thoughts feelings inspire me to keep going

Poets artists dreamers remind us that there is always something more

Beyond what is more being giving up illusions and desire

What I am or will be certainty and uncertainty

Relative to my world beauty and truth mix into one reality

Why I accept separateness I do not know anything

Except I am alive thinking and feeling

Soul understands more than self hope will

Guidance from within focus a conscious light

I love everyone and need their help and company

Flower of Life Art Intuition Creativity Visions Dreams Imagination Wonder Childhood

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The Hidden Library Beyond Time

Spring sits at a long oak table deep in contemplation

She is reading a very old book with gold and silver lettering

She looks up for a moment and our eyes meet

They are two dark pools with the weight of this great place

The spiral towers offering beautiful views of the mountains

The long shadowy aisles of books and remarkable treasures of knowledge

Her eyes have much wisdom, sadness, beauty, understanding

Reflecting the many worlds, times, places, people of the world recorded here

Outside in the courtyard, I sit under the tree of life’s ornate canopy

A child of the great tree of life and the same as its parent

Much like this small world is similar to the universe outside

Beyond the mountains and forests of this paradise I have come to love

I feel privileged to be one of the few chosen to live here and learn

Time seems to slow down when Spring comes outside to sit with me

She likes to look at the secret city in the moonlight and the starlight

The wind is gentle and carries with it the smell of wildflowers

Deep in the mountains it is yet warm in the early spring

An atmosphere of peace and calm lies over the library

We are both silent, sitting together under the giant tree’s ornate branches

Even though the air is warm the wooden benches are quite cool

Later, we cross through the doorway to the forest outside the city

To the world we knew all of our lives, the world of humans and Earth

We find our bicycles where we left them, close to my house

We ride home and eat a simple meal -- She sings a sad song of love while I cook

Afterwards, Spring sits on the edge of the porch and swings her legs over the shrubbery

Her long brown hair hides her eyes as she bends down to smell the flowers

We talk about our plans for the future, how she wants to bring more people here

And I tell her of my desire to create a utopia with her help, and that of our friends

Whether or not to speak of the secret world Spring and I discovered, that will be tricky

An important decision not to be taken lightly -- Great power and knowledge are at stake

In the wrong hands the course of human evolution on Earth could change for the worse

The development of a new world to replace the ones that came before could be stifled

By greed and lust for power, the ages-old foil of human progress and evolution towards

The optimal version of history Spring and I have been fortunate enough to witness

With the help of the Wizards, the elusive people in charge of the hidden city

A small world separate yet connected to every time and place in the cosmos

The World Is in the Best Hands Today: World Healing Compassion Hope Balance Nature Protectors

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She Is A Star

I am able to fly yet again

I understand I am dreaming

Beautiful stars offer themselves to me

Affection, intimacy of mind, self

Energy of closeness with a slight touch

I remember her from before I moved away

I want to be close to her more than ever before

I regret not showing her how I feel about her

More than I did -- Discovering, exploring life

I imagine she is sitting in the moonlight tonight

Under a weeping willow tree reading the poetry

Of the beauty of nature, the earth and the sky

Stars in her eyes and in the sky and her mind

I have to set her free, in my own mind

On the wings of night birds

Ravens, crows, owls, life of imagination

Beauty wonder her guides

Companions in the moonlight world of garden

Strange sounds mysteries keep her company

The world begins again, continuing to be born again

With the rise of the sun in the morning

Never ending, always beginning

And as long as there is life

There is always hope for the future

Eye Window Soul

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Glimpse of The Future

As I walk by the river in the sliver of crescent moonlight

Shining through the tops of the trees, just enough light

To make my way without falling, yet not enough to stop

Paying attention to each footstep, I think about my future

Years ahead in time I will be different yet the same soul

I am barely able to know myself as anything other than a child

Yet there are hints of my future self shining along with the moonlight

Starlight Golden Silver Child

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The Future of Humanity

Ancient symbols of change and chaos depict figures from our ancestral memory

Cow, Mother Earth -- Lucifer, Shadow -- Pisces, Sacrificial Lamb

Back and forward from today for thousands of years

Gold, Silver, Bronze, Iron, Information -- always changing

Humanity continues to grow into its potential for enlightenment

Whether or not there is a cosmic plan for us does not matter

Consciousness flowers and produces seeds for the future

End of one age is beginning to another and we are lucky to see the changes

Even if we do not understand, we still have the opportunity to witness the world

We can save the world and ourselves in the process by allowing the future to exist

Without interfering with the progression of ages and future generations

The traditional meaning of conservation and not inflicting our flaws on children

We can explore the universe in peace and prosperity for all if we only desire

The ancient cards may become antiquated, our divisions unnecessary

Through the houses of death and life time continues as arrow and circle

Freedom the great potential and necessity for humanity to grow

Individuality and memories of our past must be reconciled for balance

We may choose to cover the tattoos of past triumphs and mistakes

Or show our regrets with pride and intimacy, without promoting destruction

Black Hole Doorway Window Soul Dark and Light Complexity: Dark Eyes Man Woman Child Love Flames Hands Feet Knowledge Alchemy

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Symbols of Life

Figures from myth and legend use symbols to control nature and be controlled by it

Farm houses and factories can be centers of learning for children and adults

An ancient tree near an even older tower comes back to life after being almost dead

Children worship the tree and begin to return the land to its former vibrancy and magic

A beautiful angel comes to witness this and offers to help with creating a new eden

She leads the children up to the inaccessible rooms near the top of the ancient tower

When they want to leave, she says to go down would be to go through a narrow drain

And to go up would be to enter the abyss of space and time and uncertainty

The demon that lives nearby appears and threatens her and then leaves

She says they have been chosen for combat against the darkness, but it will not be easy

They fight for the original symbols that define the myths and legends of human history

They use the language left to humanity by the stranger who fell into the abyss long ago

Elements of Love: Places History Different Worlds Alternatives Choices Eternities Becoming Being Existence Transcendence

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Defending My Home

In the middle of the trance ceremony I realize that I am in great danger and I go outside

I do my best to defend my people and I tell the dark spirits to go away or else be destroyed

I cut off one of the death knights’ heads and tell the others to leave or face the same fate

Most are scared away, but there is one terrible creature who is not afraid of anything

I confront the dark leader but it is strong and I have difficulty gaining any kind of advantage

So I lead him out to the shore of the ocean in order to quench its deadly flame of anger

My fire cannot hurt it, but the water can put an end to its rampage, or so I hope

I manage to pull the creature into the ocean with me, sacrificing myself for the greater good

And I am left alone in my own dream, trying to find another individual who is also dreaming

I do not know if the people I meet are just part of my dream or if I am simply part of theirs

My Other Half: Sagittarius Teacher Healer

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Flowers of Lust

We lie together in my house at the edge of a great mountain forest

At some point she says “We both know that we want each other”

I turn to her and she is looking at me with longing in her eyes

She kisses me and I let my instincts take over and she does too

Later, in the glow of sexual contentment, we lie together looking up at the ceiling

I hear her crying and ask what is wrong but she says nothing

She gets up and walks into the bathroom, and closes the door

I want to say something else, to find out what is wrong

The smell of her sweat lingers in my bed and I wait for her to return

When she does, she says she wants to go home, but it can wait until tomorrow

So we both try to go to sleep, and I put my arm around her, and our foreheads pressed together

A strange kind of blue purple light seems to emanate from all around her

And I am happy for a little while, until she leaves and I am left alone again

But that is tomorrow, and for now she is here to stay -- And I am thankful for this

Magic Blue Beautiful Violet Rose Peacock Eye Labyrinth Mandala

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Love of Life

There are so many people I deeply care for, it’s hard to count

And yet I cannot help but feel more love for some than others

The ones I dream - when the rain comes and the earth drinks its fill

I think of her often in good times and bad times — It helps

Knowing she is alive and vital in my world at this moment in time

Even though we cannot be together, even though she may not want to be

At this particular point in space and time, I still love her

The memory and idea of her inspires me to be a better person

To make better art, or at least know when my art is not good

When I do not create for the benefit of other people — Humanity

Benefits when I am enlightened in my pursuit of self-interests

When I give as much as I take, and take only what I need to survive

We are all part of the cause for social justice and equality for all

Even my friends who are selfish and who do not like the idea of change

We all play our part in the great unfolding drama of the universe

And she is the one who inspires me to have faith and hope for the future

What may be and what will be, a better world that is busy being born

Always unfolding and changing in the pattern of chaos and intention

Her very existence is a work of art of the highest order of beauty

Purity of soul and body and spirit always changing, becoming, living

The fire of her mind penetrates and burns my masks to ashes — Holy

Desire to know her better and to learn her thoughts and perspective

On every matter of thing in the world, and in her mind, and everywhere

A foundation for my own understanding of the universe and life

Love lives on, no matter how much time passes, no matter how many mistakes

Bad judgments you make — There is always hope of a new brighter day

The sun rises and the past fades a little more into obscurity — Healing

Your body, mind, and spirit — And while she sleeps her true form shows

The light in her eyes spreads out to the rest of her face — Peace

And happiness I am happy to see, perhaps in some small part because of me

In the night I held her in my arms, and it was something like heaven

A secret that we never talked about afterwards, yet thought about

I held her hand and felt a deep sense of belonging, of coming home

My quest to find the center of myself would not be possible without her

I owe my strength and determination to her influence and presence in my life

Full of music and magic, peace and understanding — Bliss, love, and freedom

Process of Life

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The Mind of Nature

Global warming is real — fact not fiction, yet strange

The beautiful storms of change, intense and wild

Floods and wildfires threatening the vulnerable

Those in the desert are even more thirsty for water

The butterfly says to let the outside in and the inside out

Let the wind blow through your heart and breathe deep

The presence of the sun shows through closed eyelids

Progressive cultural evolution for humanity is necessary

The moon and stars and visible planets are a beautiful example

How to organize chaos — Hope in the midst of violent conflict

Mind and consciousness shared by all beings in the universe

Perception that helps create reality — Each influencing the other

I tend my garden and find comfort in the smell of rich earth and leaves

A microcosm of my hope for humanity’s efforts to change the environment

Each part and individual working for the benefit of the whole ecosystem

The diversity of nature allowing for greater health and balance overall

Consciousness rises from nature — Its history remains tied to the earth

The combination of the water of life and the fertile soil creates beauty

Lessons for humanity about the patterns of interdependence in the universe

The spiral and the circle of creation, preservation, change, desire, becoming

Everything is transforming into something else, yet essence remains the same

The wind spreads seeds within the garden and also to other faraway places

The world is a garden too, and the wind shares without distinction for nationality

The rain allows for new life to begin, and consciousness to flower inside the mind

Like plants and animals, people are constantly making love and fighting each other

But with hope, conflict will be more about words and ideas instead of physical violence

The cities of light and darkness, the forests and oceans, the blood and passion flow

But we should let each other live, for we are all unique though essentially the same

Looking out the eastern and western windows in morning and night — Duality of time

Accepting the space around us — Working to change the future but accepting the past

The crossroads allows for us to change our lives and choose which way we want to go

And it is never too late to change our minds and follow a different path, another destination

I pass by a beautiful woman on a forest trail — She is bending down to smell the wildflowers

For years I will think of her and wish I had stopped to say hello and see what she sees

She smiles at me and her eyes are full of light but also very dark — Duality of being alive

A fire rises in my heart and I cannot help but smile in return — We will always be connected

In the same bed, I put my arm around her and breathe in the natural fragrance of her beauty

I cannot go to sleep no matter how hard I try, and time seems to stand still, but I am happy

To be close to her, to feel her presence blurring the boundaries between our bodies and minds

She turns over and our foreheads touch for a long time, and our breath becomes entwined

You are a manifestation of the divinity present and indwelling in the self-aware universe

You are a star given human form — Light in the darkness — Mirror of cosmic consciousness

Dream of Music, Time, Love

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The Water of Life

Worshipping the earth, the smell of humus, rain

Finding love and peace in the stillness of morning

Gardens of mind and body give hope to sick friends

They heal by making their surroundings a beautiful place

Through perception and understanding, and the right force

To make the world fit your will, your will the universe

To search for someone who dreams the same visions as you

Or at least similar enough so that you have some understanding

It helps me accept that people I love are not doing well

A way to make some kind of a connection with the universe

And perhaps my work will bring some joy to the people I care about

And what I learn I can teach others, and help my friends live better

When the rain comes, it washes my soul and gives life to the soil

The seeds I plant grow into beautiful creatures and friends

The whole world is a garden, and yet each place is different

Each smaller garden within the whole has its own unique beauty

Consciousness pervades nature, and the universe is self-aware

The garden of your mind goes on forever, just like the cosmos

We each have the opportunity to share our vision and dream together

The trick is finding the right person to love more than others

Blessings of nature and the divine indwelling mind of the universe

The force of attraction and the coming together of disparate parts

There are ways we can be better stewards of the earth, water, and sky

Though things are getting better, there is much left to be done

Paradise Dream Map River Garden Temple House Mountains

*****

The Sleeper Awakens

Some are frightened by the shadow inside them

Others learn to accept and cultivate their dark half

Even the least attractive part of our minds have value

The sleeper must awaken — both the good and evil

By transcending our shadow we become whole —

At home with ourselves, without fear or apprehension

In this new world, it snows at the beginning of the spring equinox

Then I pause and reflect on my past and desires for the future

For all who seek truth to find balance between dark and light

Trusting love — Both angels and demons sleep within the deep

Places of our souls — our minds give rise to them when we need them

Even when we don’t want anyone, especially then, they appear

Friends who help us back on the right track, or to keep going

On the right one — Beyond limited definitions of family, they are

Closer than blood, a way of understanding your place in the universe

A reminder that you are beautiful and unique and not ever alone

Earth Family -- The ones you think about, the ones you love most, for better or worse

They can be the source of your inspiration or a cause for despair

My friends are closer to me than biology — Blood and bone are secondary

We would be nothing without our parents and grandparents — And yet

It is warm in the sunlight and cool in the shade — You can choose

Your family if you are willing to look beyond the chains of your past

I may not be able to forget you, but the least I can do is try to forgive

Myself — We have all made some positive impact in someone’s life

Flower of Life -- Truth is the most important thing — Making sense of chaos

Order and a way of discovering your place in the universe

Consciousness and understanding can flower in every mind

Part of the soul of the universe subjectively experiencing itself

Organization Pattern of Chaos

*****

Emperor of a World

Yet -- There are always some who resist a tyrant of any kind

No matter how enlightened the policies -- Comfortable the citizens

The trick is to use the political process whenever possible

Create a coalition, a movement of revolutionaries to reach the majority

Give the minority enough not to complain, and the reactionaries nothing

Except kind words and a sincere effort to explain the progress of history

But those who want things to go back to the old ways will always protest

Everyone can find reason to complain if they think it will take them somewhere

They want to go -- Especially back to old prejudice, injustice, and inequality

So you may be an emperor of a world, but not the only one, not the only world

You are best served not to ever claim complete control or even desire it

Encourage individuality, serving enlightened interests for the good of all

A leader should not be a tyrant, if only for practical reasons, and less grief

History teaches us that they do not end well, no matter how good and popular

They are -- Necessary sometimes in times of crisis -- Opportunity and danger

The development of human culture should have outgrown petty differences

Yet here we all are -- Still dealing with the same issues as past generations

Reactionaries still want us to go back to the past, and revolutionaries the future

Balance must be found between the opposing forces of change and order

A new kind of understanding of the play of life, discovering the key to wisdom

Finding bliss in knowledge and action directed toward improving life for everyone

Trusting the perseverance and prevalence of love, sweet and bitter love

Mandala Cubed: Heart Compassion Joy

*****

Wizards of Light

If one knows where to look for the doorway or window -- the way to elsewheres

Other planets, other dimensions, other realities -- close and yet an infinite distance

A meeting point where beings from different places and times come together to talk

To share information, strategies, coordinate plans of thousands and millions of years

Hidden by a great temperate rainforest and ancient mountains with many secrets

One such city of doorways is home to a group of scholars of many races and backgrounds

A center of learning and observation of the world outside the city’s boundaries

A world named Earth by the billions of humans that call the planet home in 2013 AD

Some fight to survive, but others hoard books and knowledge from many worlds

Many times, helping when they can to move humanity towards a better tomorrow

Aligned with spirits of nature, magical creatures that live in other dimensions of reality

Against the forces of darkness, both in the world of humanity and in worlds beyond

To put aside ancient conflicts between the forces of light, to find balance and harmony

To focus on the darkness in everyone and the truly evil, to serve the force of life

In all things, in all places, in all times -- the cosmic conflict between light and darkness

Both on the individual level and the level of communities, planets, galaxies, universes

Green Man Nature Spirit Friend Guardian Defender

*****

World Dragon

He comes down from the mountain peak, threatening the farms and the school

The White Tower stands and will not be broken even by a giant serpent -- Yet

The crops and the people’s houses are not so strong -- The Wizards must act

To protect their people’s livelihoods -- The ancient truce has been broken

And when a hero has slain the dragon, young and foolish yet very powerful

A greater power wakes in the mountains -- The Mother -- All must change

Her terrible anger threatens all that the Wizards and the townspeople know

Something must be done to appease her, to restore the peace of their world

World Dragon

*****

The Forest Paradise

The ways to the heart of the great temperate rainforest are limited from the cities

A few old highways, less than there once were, a small method of keeping some part

Of the old world the way it once was, before the great changes of the past 100 years

So much has changed, humans spreading throughout the physical universe,

Unlocking the secrets of the invisible universe within and outside each person

The world united under one government, each old national enemy at peace with one another

The people staying on Earth concentrate in ever larger cities fueled by free energy

No more poverty, no need for injustice, plenty of food and clean water for all human beings

All manner of new ways of travel -- Flying cars, high speed trains, personal spacecraft

Those with a desire to see the preserved mountain forests of the old national park may do so

There is even a single train line from Knoxville to the old small city of Sevierville

For those who like to travel across the surface of the Earth, and watch the world change

From new to old -- Yet even the old has changed, and would no doubt be unrecognizable

To the people that lived there, here -- Generations before humans started exploring the stars

Sailing the cosmic seas like ancient explorers of the old world, searching for new worlds

For humanity to call home -- When our sun dies, as all stars must, billions of years from now

Life will continue, as it always has and always will, using humans to seed new planets

As the universe becomes ever more complex, yet even simpler, self-aware -- Perfect

Multiversal Guardian

*****

The Philosophy of Love

Forgive yourself for past mistakes and bad judgments you have made

Look to the future -- Positivity is essential for the continuation of life

Without hope, how can any human being continue to live and learn?

Even if only a faint glimmer of light, almost completely hidden under

A veil of regrets, despair, sorrow -- But it can be lifted, if only

For a little while, and life continues ever onwards -- We are all stars

Players in our own games of love and life -- Games that are not games

And the game of life that we all play together, whether we like it or not

Finding joy and happiness wherever and whenever we can, with who we can

Serving others in order to find what we are looking for -- The meaning of life

Some kind of god or deity of the earth and sky and the universe of stars

Traveling and making new homes on faraway planets, in our dreams

One day we will look back on this time and see our old home earth

Still there, still here, for us, all of us no matter how low or high we may seem

No matter our mistakes and our triumphs -- We will be glad to have known

This the first of many worlds, home planet for humanity, mother of us all

Peace: First Day of Spring

*****

Rome -- Life Continues Ever Onwards

No one is beyond redemption -- Nothing in this world is wasted

Everything we do has purpose whether we know it or not

The world is always beginning and continuing to be born again

Constantly evolving towards new kinds of transformations

We are all connected in our becoming, part of the universal mind

All is one, yet different -- Everything is everything else, but distinct

Becoming amidst being, creativity acting on receptivity, unity in duality

The potential for transcendence and wisdom is inside each of us

Through the mirror of our minds we can understand the language of love

Oceans of life giving energy there for the taking and giving away -- Here

Swimming, flying, walking -- Life continues ever onwards in its quest for perfection

Searching always for balance, joy, happiness -- Reasons for living beyond just surviving

Everything good and bad is part of life’s plan, a way for the cosmos to become better

Through resolution of conflict, the good becomes more perfect and the bad fades away

Insight Dream Art Poetry Creation

*****

True Love Lost (Not Yet Regained)

Hundreds of versions of myself, spread out over many times and places -- All very similar

Saying and doing the same things, though in slightly different situations -- Repetition, echo

Some variations have their own personality, and provide guidance to me when I am silent

Even if I do not actually follow their advice, they tell me what I should and should not do

One with special experience in particular romance tells me not to try again with Helen

Though there is chemistry, to be with her again would be very difficult, without much reward

I find Sophia sitting with her childhood self, and my own inner child -- Playing

He teaches me how to be happy, for I have forgotten more than I can remember

I teach him how to fly, or at least how to fall gracefully -- His future will require rising above

I ask Sophia if she hears the echoes of her other selves, but she does not

Her childhood self curses a lot -- An interesting pair we make, though contentious

She comes close, but then leaves to be with Helen, and once again I am alone with myself

One of Helen’s female lovers comes to say that I am still wanted by both Helen and Sophia

But I do not want to go through the pain of seeing either of them with someone else

So I write a poem and draw a picture and leave them in a package for Sophia to find

Strangers try to keep me with them, which is flattering though I want to be with another

My soul keeps getting caught in circles -- And my feet get stuck so I cannot leave

Until I have listened to the music all the way through -- All the way around to the end

The circle of life continues to turn, the records that make me happy also bring me sadness

But I am learning, and it is possible to go back to the beginning again, if only in memory

And there is always the possibility of finding true love, beyond compassion and empathy

When I talk to Sophia, I tell her I love her and miss her -- Yet I am afraid to go to her

Sometimes I disregard my own advice and try to find Helen, despite the pain and heartbreak

I know that I am meant to be with one and not the other, but I am weak and uncertain also

And I know that Sophia may not feel the same way about me that I feel about her

A different kind of love, unpossessive and free from jealousy, at least most of the time

Yet I still cannot help but hope that one day we'll be together, when I am a better person

I know there will be heartbreak and loss and pain, but also some occasional contentment

My heart is full of red wine, and there is always the prospect of finding true love again

Even if I never see Sophia again, she will continue to be in my thoughts and dreams

Portrait of the Artist

*****

Part Two (21 Poems)

*****

Song of Myself: Everlasting Starflower

Everything allows us to perceive

Reality cracks and divinity shining

Hearts and minds becoming one

Effulgent bliss surround hold protect

Allow us dreams of heaven

Experience underlying pattern of eternity

From dark to light doorway

Horror terror fear hate shame

Your dreams can come true

World conflict trial by fire

Through danger appears strange heroes

Spirit air water fire earth

Blue red yellow green orange

Every color and each element

Initiation into the deep mysteries

Dark shadow with magician hermit

Danger for friends and family

Refusal of call to adventure

Banishment and beginning again again

World salvation darkness to light

Accept destiny water and drown

Premonitions of shapes of things

Places personalities masks and secrets

Journey lessons learned and remembered

Your true initiation never ends

The basis of Greek-Roman-British culture

Rational intuitive philosophy of knowledge

Axiomatic yet imperfect vital humanism

Out of all possible worlds

This our mystery we know

Beyond the edge of physics

The universe stretches far forever

There’s always more to come

A stage dream constant rehearsal

At the same time finished

Flash of black or white

Gold silver together at heart

Always beginning in ending

Other worlds and different times

Related to earth and sky

The planet we all share

That which is everything

With the most useful transcendence

Mind remembers the future shadows

Parallel planes bubbles and points

Various multicolored gem worlds floating

An unbroken circle and chain

Happy to consider the wonders

Grandeur and vastness of space

Far and deep within and without

Yet heart is the center

Soul light wisdom air body

Sky looks down and through

Creates and reveals self discovery

Spirit builds networks of consciousness

Between different and separate lives

Interpenetrating the lines limits horizons

Overcoming understanding awareness of self

Night longs to be real

Harmony music of the cosmos

Something special as a star

Come join in healing growth

Sorrow thorns hate fear self

Shadow allow light to shine

Through life endless star night

Sadness flowers dance and forgive

Beauty to behold one moment

Time before you behind you

Find anything worth dying for

Live space to remember forgetting

Sky purple water blue butterfly

Despair and deception all conquering

Love that binds the universe

Force constant state of change

Evolution transformation growth

Mysterious Self World Unconscious Collective Knowledge Myth

*****

Egypt Greece Rome Ever Onwards

Apollo and Isis belong together

All their pain leads to growth transforming

No suffering sadness sorrow except their own

Peculiar perfect relation between opposites

Everyone’s hidden secrets loves potentials

Transcending overcoming fear envy meanness

Towards more truth beauty light

Sorrows reminding me of ancient mysteries

Memories reflections mirrors of what once was

Shall be given enough space idea time

Beautiful night sky full of blinking worlds

I awaken ready for always already every

And all good things desire ending need

Weight of past present future

Speak truth beautiful even especially to shadows

Dark help move beyond worry defeat horror

Terrible mystery give form nothingness not afraid

Once again realize the illusion surrounds us

Disconnection fragmentation and despair

Make belief dream become reality

Similar simultaneous here and there

Some point to words never

Explain direct experience through stories

Surrender to ways of otherness

Stand beyond shadow fear doubt

And awareness clarity vision stays

Remember and you remain strong

Open unblocked brilliant uncovered calm

Again change yet stay rad

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