Prowess

"The wrestler was once more solid than a bull.
He loved to flex enormous, oiled forearms
Before he delightedly vanquished foes.
But now, brittle skin is taut over bone,
And his wheeze is a ghost of his manly bellow."

Amidst wars and rumors of wars, I submit myself to the power of the Most High. 

Dipper

"Bamboo dipper, granite basin.
Crust of ice over inky reservoir.
Moon shimmers in the dipper
Until fullness drains away."

From God, there are no secrets. He is the secret. I believe He also keeps His purpose secret until the proper time. Until now, I've been straining to hear Him, yet only now do I feel ready to listen. 

Donkey

"Dismount your donkey at the summit."

Lately I've been reflecting that it's often the folks in the most humble circumstances who have the greatest things to offer. When the world's definition of success is too narrow, this helps me remember what's truly important. 

Dovetail

'"Measure twice, cut once," said the old craftsman.
Only careful planning and patient skill make a dovetail.'

Recently I heard somebody say that, whatever the battle is, if you're fighting, you're losing. Other people insist you have to fight for what you want. For my part, I know I try to go with the flow, but I also know that it wouldn't be my life if I didn't have to struggle. I often dream of a time I can coast, and I seem to be upon that now--having decided to leave my job and see what's next. At the same time, I can't help hoping that this will just be the precursor to the greatest challenge I have ever wished for. 

Sieve

"A coarse sieve catches little.
A fine mesh catches more.
If you want the subtle, be refined,
But prepare to deal with the coarse."

I have finally learned that being sensitive includes being tough. I grew up thinking they were at odds, and to my detriment lived in a lot of fear and shame. It is my hope that now, all of that will continue to be broken open, so that I can be free. 

Sense

"Don't be destroyed by knowledge and power.
Use common sense to survive."

I saw an article today that said intuition is the highest form of intelligence. Whatever measure of truth there is in that specifically, it did reinforce for me that we have been endowed by God with everything we need to live in Creation. To deny that is a sin, indeed. 

Umbilicus

"People consider the navel a vestigial nub
And think nourishment only comes through the mouth.
Not so. Tao is the great mother,
And vitality untold lies in the region of the umbilicus."

This evening in the wake of an argument, my husband and I were talking about the importance of being grounded. To serve God, I must be centered in my body and at peace with my flesh. I'm not far from either now, I know; I can feel it!