Putting the Mind at Ease
Charlene Langful
I’m not thinking about my troubles in life
as a lesbian or as a woman right now.
I am out in the high desert grass leaping
after my honey colored dog who does the same.
And I am thinking about how practicing to have
a meaningful life is what Buddhists do when
we know what is good for us and what is good
for us counts. I‘m out walking along the edge
of Murray Canyon choosing transformation
over attachments, holding the orange cactus flowers
between my fingers easy like, gently as I am able.
The fan palms are blowing in the light breeze,
giant black crows on top of them chattering,
the mesquite tree near them in its slow summer bloom
because this is the desert and heat rolls out
here like a force to be reckoned with, with lessons
of how to be prudent no matter how wild the heart is.
I’m getting up at sunrise or before, drinking water,
breathing deep, remembering how women care
for whatever is around them whenever possible.
I see how the lizards and the rabbits have made
the place around me their home as I have mine.
We all have small plans with big goals and good intents.
Today I will plant more aloe and calendula, plants
that cure and save us when we need it. Help us get
through another summer. I throw dried flower petals
out into the sand around me as I walk, believing
this is a way to say I want to love back what is
around me. What is still here, land to root to, ease with,
when so much of it is most in jeopardy, earth and mind
together. I take regular steps as I move along, breathe
deep again, remember as I do how we are all the same..
Charlene Langful
I’m not thinking about my troubles in life
as a lesbian or as a woman right now.
I am out in the high desert grass leaping
after my honey colored dog who does the same.
And I am thinking about how practicing to have
a meaningful life is what Buddhists do when
we know what is good for us and what is good
for us counts. I‘m out walking along the edge
of Murray Canyon choosing transformation
over attachments, holding the orange cactus flowers
between my fingers easy like, gently as I am able.
The fan palms are blowing in the light breeze,
giant black crows on top of them chattering,
the mesquite tree near them in its slow summer bloom
because this is the desert and heat rolls out
here like a force to be reckoned with, with lessons
of how to be prudent no matter how wild the heart is.
I’m getting up at sunrise or before, drinking water,
breathing deep, remembering how women care
for whatever is around them whenever possible.
I see how the lizards and the rabbits have made
the place around me their home as I have mine.
We all have small plans with big goals and good intents.
Today I will plant more aloe and calendula, plants
that cure and save us when we need it. Help us get
through another summer. I throw dried flower petals
out into the sand around me as I walk, believing
this is a way to say I want to love back what is
around me. What is still here, land to root to, ease with,
when so much of it is most in jeopardy, earth and mind
together. I take regular steps as I move along, breathe
deep again, remember as I do how we are all the same..