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cloudshapes's Blog Blog Tools Rate This Blog
Creation Date: 07-16-2012 07:20 PM
cloudshapes
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Blog Info
Status: Public
Entries: 11
Comments: 14
Views: 40,291

In General Spring Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #11 New 03-17-2013 08:12 PM
Spring

Only half way there
my strength, spent
the widest part of the river
was yet to cross

The current, strong
my will, fading
until all that remained
was the other half of the journey

As stubborn as a mule on a mid summer afternoon
nothing left to do but cross
I turned back only for a moment
just enough to say goodbye

The distance traveled seemed so far
as I wished with all my might
a gentle breeze upon all that was
sent with the speed of a stormy gale

Dissipating only upon arrival
harmony restored
the continuum of practice
in the dojo of life

Where one ends
the other begins
behind, a cold harsh winter
ahead, Spring



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KJL1Tah_40


Linda - thank you for your recent response regarding the writer's forum...a few other folks also expressed interest so I'll send Jun an email and he can make the decision he thinks is best for aikiweb...either way, thank you for sharing your beautiful blog.


Wishing everyone a wonderful Spring.


M
Views: 2650


In General Aiki Writers Forum? Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #10 New 01-04-2013 02:51 AM
... In regards to writing, I was thinking about asking Jun to open a new Forum category for Aiki writers. It would be a place to park, share, explore processes, projects, insights, challenges, post tools, resources, joys of writing, agony of editing etc. It would be a space to discuss/explore various types of publications, books/articles/essays/ memoirs, practice logs, fiction/nonfiction....Would that be helpful for Aiki Writers? Linda, do you think folks in your Mirror group might be interested? Mathew also mentioned he was interested in exploring writing...can other writers weight in?

I don't want to ask Jun unless we have folks who would actually use it...


Peace and Light,


Marium
Views: 2285 | Comments: 4


In General Happy New Year! Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #9 New 01-04-2013 12:38 AM
Happy New Year everyone!


We all know life has valleys....it makes the summit that much sweeter...so whatever may be on your path, may laughter, peace and joy accompany your journey.......Enjoy putting on YOUR RITZ!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KgoapkOo4vg


Peace and Light,


M
Views: 1531


In General The Crossing Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #8 New 12-18-2012 09:03 AM
The Crossing (O Siyeza)

Soon, the time will come
to discuss gun control and mental illness
acceptance and perhaps the consequences of rejection

For new laws
and action plans
but for now can we refrain?

Pausing to offer
prayer and reverence
as they cross into the Light


*Diana, it is my deepest honor that you liked and shared the Casualties of War piece. Sometimes an image comes to me and if I give it space, it reveals its story...I just get to write it down...all this to say, sometimes the process is equally surprising/chilling for me too...Anyway, in 1996, while teaching in S. Africa, I attended the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Hearings in Cape Town and Joburg. Apartheid ended in '93 so I came three years into the new era but the wounds of Apartheid were still very fresh for the country. During that time, I met many survivors of Apartheid and witnessed hundreds of their testimonies. It was all too evident that all human beings carry the ability to do great good and terrible ill.... it is the duality of human nature....Ultimately it all comes down to choices. The testimonies shared by the survivors of Apartheid were beyond any horror most of us can ever imagine. However, time after time, the survivors FORGAVE. When asked, they sought only what they needed...a proper burial, school fees for the children that remained, food, medical expenses etc. One woman wanted only medical care to remove the bullet lodged in her vagina after the perpetrat ...More Read More
Views: 1739


In General Casualties of War Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #7 New 12-15-2012 08:17 AM
Casualties of War

There is nothing civil about this perdition that shackles me
days on and off the battle field churn slowly like years
entrenched under this quivering canopy
nothing is sturdy in this wretched landscape

Outside, the once green prairie grass is engulfed by blood mud
inside, the strained voices of other nurses
and moaning of patients
blend into one

A loathsome symphony of pain
coming in and out of my perception
as distant cannons and nearing bullets
drum the sky, shaking out the stars each night

Arms flailing without their rightful bodies
legs torn, detached from their home
I stitch up what I can and cut off what I can not
just a few drops of whisky remain

Those arriving in a moment's notice
will clamp down their pain with a wooden spoon
death does not differentiate
between North and South

The smell of blood is thick, wreaking of iron
my sterilizing bucket, murky with tissue and blood
even the serrated saw seems to be dulling
this war lingers on beyond my contempt of it

I loathe it and the price of freedom
And what of the wedding bands on amputated arms?
The letters stuffed in the pant pockets of amputated legs?
Where do I put these sacred casualties of war?

No hallowed ground has been consecrated for such bereavement
What will two thousand headstones look like?
as the stains continue to layer on my tattered uniform
I meld into these soldiers that lay in front of me

We become each other's
I, their sister ...More Read More
Views: 2336 | Comments: 3


In General Choices Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #6 New 11-13-2012 07:58 PM
Choices

We watch quietly from the summit
celebrating the trek
as the blue yonder reveals
What it wills

Boulders we scaled
become smaller now
disappearing
into the distant trail below

We try to decipher
But can not
what lays just beyond the clouds
Guiding Light comes in many forms

You can stretch it, bend it
still, possibility knows no boundary
as choices appear and reappear
amidst a million rustling leaves

The faint sound of a distant dojo bell
summons practice
we hear and see as we will
in communion with Gaia


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCBBkuN_8so




Peace and Light,


M
Views: 1618


In General Peripheral vision Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #5 New 10-23-2012 06:41 AM
Peripheral vision


Recently, while tucking her in
my daughter turned to me
"Mama, what happened to your hand today?"
noticing my bewilderment
she touched the three paper cuts on my index finger
undetected by all others
this wasn't the first time her Spider Sense tingled


A few weeks ago, she accompanied me to the dojo
watching me ever so intently
little did she know about my back pains
yet when asked of her favorite part
she quickly responded "the backward rolls mama"
somehow knowing
those were the hardest earned


The eyes of children
see and feel ever so completely
as acutely from their peripheral vision
as their center gaze
where between horizon and sky
all things are seen and experienced
clearly and crisply


Teaching the art of true sight
seeing all dimensions
celebrating every leaf
with the heart of kami
until all that is becomes one hum
Nature's first lullaby


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpqpvGSR3Bg



Peace and light,


Marium
Views: 1761 | Comments: 4


In General Communion Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #4 New 10-01-2012 11:31 PM
Communion

But for these ancient truths
that linger beyond time
anchoring even the moon
in the darkest hours
of the midnight sky
enduring
is the path of understanding
and the joy it brings

though left to free will
I too could strike
but If we are one
How then, can one half hurt the other?
How does one unsee the sacred in another?
How does the drop separate itself from the ocean
when the ocean is but a drop itself?
and so despite the imminent prelude
in assailant eyes
harmony is restored
before intent sets motion

Still, unable to answer an attack
with an attack
I bow to the Gods that be
accompanied by silent summits
and humming forests
but for their cairns, I would be lost
knowing that neither strike nor sword
with all its bloody might
can pierce this budo communion

Harmony, barters not
it simply is
the nature of human condition
both hideous and beautiful
be it pin or throw
Nage mind screams to Uke
‘For God's sake, tap out!'
somewhere between namaste and ubuntu
where yin and yang
In balance, hold sway.




Marium
Views: 637


In General Samurai spirit Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #3 New 09-13-2012 01:37 AM
Samurai spirit

A true Samurai honors all life
Does not want to fight
But will die defending honor
And finish the fight

Chris Stevens
A fellow former Peace Corps Volunteer
Was that
Believing in the way of peace until his end

The attack, deliberate and committed
His response, deliberate and committed
He died a warrior
Trying to help others evacuate


In the news, in the subway, on the streets
I see the ego of hate daily
In the same news, in the same subway, on the same streets
I see the light of life daily


The duality of all beings
In harmony
The great Yin/Yang of the universe
In balance

But today my heart is heavy with the loss of Chris
There is comfort only in knowing
Trusting in
Believing in the light

The great harmony and beauty of all life
Is always there
The moon can not shine without the sun
The moon needs the sun, as the sun needs the moon

The moon shines BECAUSE of the sun
And only through the reflection of the moon does the sun assure us that it is still there
Though we can not see when night falls
Teaching us to trust in that which the eye can not see



To believe in peace, amidst war
To live by the light of the universe
To trust in the Way
Celebrate it
Honor it
Defend it
Die for it


Here's to you Chris...
Views: 1696 | Comments: 2


In General Practice Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #2 New 08-22-2012 10:41 PM
Practice


Within the incense
Spirit of Budo swirls
as we step in and bow
to all that is

Sensei's clap
sets the Tao into motion
each of us, a drop
in this sacred ocean

For a moment
the mat becomes a sea of waves
uke, nage blend
two parts of the same sword

Inside the dojo
we practice, practice, practice
outside the dojo
we practice, practice, practice...
Views: 1870 | Comments: 1



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