Here in the moment
greatest fears revealed,
the body stunned
almost motionless
frozen in time.
Seems a thought
brought this fury
in the mind.
Seems everything mattered
when suddenly
no recourse
is available
only the pit in the stomach
that quiet
monster of pain.
Second guess ourselves
now, again, always
a wandering soul
lost searching
a lasting memory
forbidden fears,
always that scrutiny
steals peace of mind.
Seems stability
takes a sabbatical.
We took a walk together, a cool spring
would flow the night’s waves
lapping upon the evening shoreline
soothing our mind as if to suggest a pause.
–
An appreciation of stars aligning the sky
we might look forever not mattering
such is the cosmic phenomena
sweet, out of reach yet a dangle
–
of the mind, handling in the balance,
always guiding our soul so mellow to follow
our heart and know it might surely
belong in one another’s waiting arms.
–
There lay before us a stream would release
all the moments of indecision with only peace.
© Thom Amundsen 4/3/2021
I haven’t a simple out, this anxiety,
this setting,
a state of mind, soul-searching trauma
is our path
some diplomatic lunacy.
In truth
it hasn’t ever settled,
a decades long journey filled with
angst and trepidation.
Now when facing a greater
challenge
his body natural
will wish he curling into small
would be fetal posture.
For shields are down,
spears and spirits
would that life have meaning
beyond the edginess of a
double-edged sword.
Carry on good soldier
sadly never wore the stripes.
A dear friend is walking this morning. She told me that is where she discovers her peace of mind. Our world is not the same as it once was, certainly not the last week. We carry a lot upon our minds. While weathering the storm of Covid and a confusing political atmosphere, we can be thankful that one aspect of our lives remains fluid, abundantly available, and welcoming. Nature is now our refuge, fresh air, beauty and serenity all await our heart with open arms.
The ‘hoar frost’ has been particularly abundant this January. I noticed it on the treetops nearby as the sun rose in a morning fog – a rather spectacular setting I wish I might have caught on camera to use in this observation, but the camera would not have done the moment justice. What it did do though is give me a moment of pause. I imagined my friend on her own walk experiencing the same many miles away, and yet so close because the elements of nature can draw everyone together with meaning. How many times have we watched a full moon from our backyard, knowing someone hundreds of miles or continents away would soon do the very same? We are all in position to know that nature offers a universal release so valuable during such an improbable time in our lives.
This week I have struggled with the events of January 6th. I watched testimonial after testimonial on social networks decry the circumstances, challenge the motivation, denounce and vilify the actions that turned our world visually upside down. Everyone has right to an opinion, I believe that, I always have. Being able to provide an eloquent answer or solution has never been my forte, so I really didn’t know how I wanted to write about this moment in our history. Obviously I do like to write, so this did provide quite a quandary.
So here is my testimonial. I gathered Mak! together this morning, and we took a walk, and just, well, I’m grateful for the fresh air and beauty of a mild winter day. I appreciate the wonder of a morning breeze upon my naked skin. I delight in the startling nature of my dog’s fascination with a crust of snow on the path. I pray that we can all find peace of mind, and know that our heart beats with the same fierce resilience we all might rely upon to carry ourselves through life’s darkest moments.
Close your eyes and breathe.
© Thom Amundsen 1/2021
Recent winds begin a turn
symbolic is sudden change
we can feel in our bones
sweet remedy in tones
of rapidly drawing a map,
surely memory we grasp.
~
Would that our lives have
remind of winter’s rasp
so near, the air is a whisper
of another in sudden nature
willingly drawn upon skin
that readies itself a scant
wardrobe would we wonder.
~
So now tonight joints ache
sometimes all we can take
while the world around
seems certain to have found
a new lease on life
that we forgot such advice
might we venture forward
resilient in our own toward.
A strength is what we speak
and yet today winds do peak
upon the settling sun
follow ominous moon.
~
Moving away from a charm
that youthful spirit never harm.
©Thom Amundsen 10/2020
Its been awhile
since a recommended analysis
would take me,
move me,
ask me to respond to life
and resonate.
While the world
continues to cycle
a round
a mechanical need
to survive
the crossing winds,
seems logical
we might all
seek the same
peace and solace.
Yet, it’s been awhile
since peace of mind
seemed relevant
to my own thoughts …
rewind,
the constant
pouring truth
having to comprehend,
what it might be
our own personality
subjects actions,
always a challenge.
Stand on the precipice
see the miles of opportuinity
if in flight
we fall rapidly,
but the observation,
distant eternity.
Step away and enjoy the view
that part of you, gives value too.
© Scott F Savage 3/2020
This communication
a desire to know,
to understand
a device inside a spectacular mind,
drowned in the circumstance of vice
each community
drawn by memory
responsive to a quiet solace,
always drawn by the tension
the human condition
a societal mandate,
how would you respond
to a crying appeal,
we want what feels right
rather than the circumstance
of indecions
and disparaging commentary,
so while away
the coming day
or decide upon a travail
a sojourn toward
peach of mind.
I am affected by maybe one, perhaps two,
often it might be you,
the state of mind I carry through my day,
coordinates with how I feel, how I say,
I’m doing
just okay,
and then the hours creep on by
until later in my own quiet solace,
I realize the two, maybe one,
maybe it is you,
I’m still reeling over trying to segue
into a world without the influence
of a demon,
of a skeleton,
of all that is built upon shame and addiction,
on the throes of our own sacrifice,
I’m affected,
by the simple notion of hurting someone
beyond myself,
based upon some silly luxury of
self abasement,
the notion of realizing just how human
our frailty in life,
has become,
has warranted some rediculous
attention upon the here and now,
even though just a second
ago,
just minutes before the letters even hit
the tablet,
the idea of a beautiful evening,
startlit with sweet mystique
seemed to matter more than any one
judgment created by the simple
anxiety of a singular
emotion.
A quiet path,
many minds have passed,
yet inside remains
alone like a ricocheting energy,
a certainty in privacy,
that which no one might alone
experience beyond
a silent beholden traveler.
Many nights, autumn mornings,
spring into action while the world around
might discover new purpose,
a reasoning that while easily
defined,
still remains on the outside,
wondering just how soon
there might be some quiet
revelation
toward opening doors.
yet there in the midst of a quiet existence
remains the wonder,
which while inside is felt.
What happens when
shared notions
become some emotive prayer
for understanding the logic
of living out our dreams
based upon
some ventured task to grasp
insecurity.
There was purpose in my day,
a willingness to share,
yet the constructs of a certain way,
would often interfere,
well, just my luck.
I often walk away this way,
the drive home,
a long enduring road,
looking around to see,
if anyone else might be my way.
I lack the fortitude
one might easily say
to perhaps whether the storm
may be the cause of me,
or certainly the human way.
There always is that possibility
of just getting past all of the
hypocrisy, the second guessing,
the idiocy inherent
with wondering just where we are.
I walked inside a world
why, just the other day,
where a little girl would cry,
her story breaking the hearts
of everyone inside her day.
And then, I wondered again,
while walking away,
is it just me,
or is life meant to be compelling,
in whatever manner He choose.
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