FIND JOY

 At this time, with war and destruction around the globe and innocent human beings dying pointlessly, what can I do?  The best thing I can do for my and your sanity, is to focus on gratitude and what brings us joy, our common humanity and the consciousness in everyone and everything.  No excuses this is about the spirit!

Transcript

 At this time, with war and destruction around the globe and innocent human beings dying pointlessly, what can I do?  The best thing I can do for my and your sanity, is to focus on gratitude and what brings us joy, our common humanity and the consciousness in everyone and everything.  No excuses this is about the spirit!

Hearing her voice

Feeling her devotion

expanding her spirit

cementing her connection 

to the Gods within and without

Drawing me too

into the space

where divinity waits

for us to join with the supreme,

the consciousness

in every particle

in inanimate objects 

in animate beings.

To realize that Parashiva is in us

and everything else too.

The Play of consciousness 

Even an idea

even those incessant thoughts

all is Parashiva

playing around in the mind.

Waiting for us to settle down

to find the quiet spaciousness

of the cosmic silence.

Inviting us to be rooted

in that spreading banyan tree

and sparkling in the milky way.

To be the rising sun

and the silver moon

to be the burrowing tortoise,

the silent hunting owl,

the harlequin dragonfly

the queen bee

The world around us 

so completely perfect,

all is the one

connecting, throbbing

playing, moving

eating, sleeping

breathing, hearts beating

in unison together

the perfect play of consciousness.

Places of pilgrimage

Places of pilgrimage

Draw the pilgrims 

forward into the past

with hesitation and self-doubt

stepping carefully

along the rough path.

Slippery moss covered stones

down hills into the valleys

up again to see the mist

rising in cloudy waves

above the tumbling river.

This is the river of life

unfolding before us

leading us to the source

to the ocean of Love

that we pilgrims are seeking,

not knowing, but hoping 

that this is the path

carrying us there.

THE FLY

The tiny black fly lands

moving up the page to my hands

maybe it feels warmth and heat.

what is your place in the world?

I will not be the one

to end your life,

I know you too are precious

even if precocious,

fly away, live in peace.

BIRD WAKAS

They leap and dance

suspended in mid-air

Joyful, colorful

floating down to soft landings

leaving us watchers smiling

and grateful.

Sharp eyes, wet feet

wading egrets, herons

stir water then strike

Anhingas dive and spear

Ospreys swoop and grab

Chicks wait with open beaks

Parents arrive just in time

quiet and satisfied now.

fish delivered, no chips

and no complaints.

SYMBIOSIS

I am amazed and dazzled

at natures variety

of shapes, patterns and colors,

shades of the rainbow

perfectly symmetrical petals

complex ways to reproduce

stamen, anther, pistil

stigma and ovary.

Bees, wasps and beetles 

flying deep inside

leaving loaded with pollen

playing their part

keeping our world 

full of beauty and wonder.

I love dragon flies,

lethal aerial artists

blue, red,  green and gold.

Squadrons hovering 

ready to strike

catching those biting midges,

and blood sucking mosquitoes.

FINDING JOY

In a moment

In a breath

Everything changes

New shapes appear

Patterns emerge

Joy is waiting

Following the breath inside to the stillness and peace

away from the constant chatter of pundits and news

inside to the only truth I know for certain

here the column of golden light rises up

connecting the celestial spheres

where the spirits and gods look down

on the play of humanity’s goodness and evil

seeing compassion and hatred

making the choice now

I will stay in my cocoon, my connection 

to my guru, my Shiva

Renewed snd reset into the beauty and joy

that is always waiting there

bringing me home again.

©MartinStrasmore2026