Oh Beautiful Sun

There once was a village, the people of this village were a peaceful tribe.  They lived in a peaceful existence with the earth, moon, stars and most of all the sun.  The sun was the center of their existence.  They recognized the importance of the sun as it rose in the sky and shown down the bountiful rays of heat and energy that sustained all life.  Many of there rituals were based on the worship of the sun. 

One of the traditions of the village was to celebrate the coming of age of their youth.  They would dress the child up on the marking of the 12th season of their life.  Adorning them with beads made from clay and baked in the sun, painting their skin with symbols that represented the stars, the moon, the earth and most of all the sun.  the child would then be escorted by the village elder to a place high on the side of a mountain, a pedestal for all to see.  They village would chant, and dance in the honor of the child as the sun rose into the sky uniting the child with the sun for all time.

It happened one day that a child was born, a beautiful daughter who was born to a proud mother an father.  The girl relished in the land and was very favored by all, all that is but the Sun herself.  The Sun was jealous that the girl was receiving some of the attention that should have been saved for her, after all she was the Sun and all should rejoice in her splendor.

By the time the 12th season was upon this well loved child she was indeed a sight to be seen.  She had hair of gold, which was rare in this tribe, some said it glowed like the sun, which did not pleas the sun at all.  Her skin was soft and golden as well.  The girl was thrilled that her turn had come, the time when she could stand tall in front of her people and be accepted by the sun.  This she longed for with all of her heart.  The sun was the most precious thing to her, the beautiful sunsets, and the power and splendor that was the sun. 

It was with these events in mind that when she awoke early on the morning of her celebration she could barely contain her excitement.  Her mother and aunts painted symbols to represent the stars, earth, moon and above all took extra care in creating the most splendid sun on her forehead that blended with her golden hair which gave the appearance of extending from the sun as waves of radiant sunlight.  Her father and brothers and uncles adorned her with hand woven bracelets, necklaces and anklets made from beads.  Her moment had arrived and it was with great joy that she stood at the elders side and began the trek up the mountain.

When the sun came out to shine on the village she saw the villagers lined up below and exclaimed, oh how radiant am I.  It was then that she first noticed the girl standing on the pedestal below.  The child was so beautiful that the sun paused in the sky, then with a rage of jealousy the sun dimmed.  The sun dimmed until the girl was no longer visible to the village who stood below to welcome her to adulthood.  It dimmed until the girl could no longer see the village, and was left standing alone atop of a mountain.  The girl began to cry softly to herself, and was left ever wondering what she had done to earn the disdain of the sun.  She would spend the rest of her life trying to figure out why the sun would hate her, a daughter of the sun worshipers, so much.

The sun came out the next day, shining brighter than ever.  The villagers were thrilled and cried out to the sun with delight.  They would never be able to see the truth as it was masked by the splendor that was the sun.

STU - 2011

Transformation

It was a cool evening in the early stages of fall, the hues were dancing; leaves blowing in the breeze, the sun sinking down over the horizon casting its pink glow behind it as it left its final traces glowing in the sky.  The young man stood transfixed at the splendor of the full moon glowing down on the earth through the clouds.  He could make out the craters of the moons surface as it glowed with a faint touch of orange.  He felt the hair rising on his arms, his hair standing on end.  He felt his body tense up, not with trepidation, but with the acceptance of the inevitable.  He rolled his head back and arched his chest towards the powerful glow emanating from the moon, as if giving into its power.  A sensation of peaceful bliss overtook his senses as he felt every part of his body tingle with a soothing feeling, like the caress of a gentle hand.  His mind explored the extents of the peaceful bliss that seemed to encapsulate his entire being.  He felt himself reach a plateau, and as he crossed it he felt free, freer than he had ever imagined possible.  He found himself laying on his side, rolling over he pushed himself up with his powerful arms; he glanced up at the moon and let out a howl.  The beast was free, powerful and on the prowl.  He felt the cool breeze blow his whiskers back on his face as he stared up, gazing at the full, orange hued moon.

STU – 11/01/09

Inertial education

When natural sciences meet natural consequences

She was standing there, on the bus.  She should have been sitting but her father was paying attention to her sister.  What fun it was to be in a moving bus with no seat belt, but to be there standing with no restraint at all … At that moment the bus lurched, coming to a quick stop to avoid running a red light.   As she flew forward, she realized all at once that a body in motion tends to stay in motion, especially if it is not sitting where it should be.  Her father not needing to say a thing, simply smiled seeing that she was okay and enjoying life’s little science lesson.  Sometimes experience is the best teacher of them all.

STU - 2008

fountain

A man stood at a fountain, with a coin in his hand.

He was smiling with the cleverness of his wish.

He would wish for a full and satisfying life.

A motion drew his attention to his side,

Where his children were playing together.

The man’s smile widened as he returned the coin to his pocket.

STU - 2008

Light, at the end of the tunnel

It has been dark here,
for what seems many a year.

But ahead it is clear,
the sun is shining near.

Life is full of ups and downs,
mixed with smiles and frowns.

Sometimes we get sucked into the mire,
loose our ambition and desire.

It takes a lot to open our eyes,
to see the sunny skies.

I can see it, shining bright,
it is indeed a glorious sight.

Behold the light, out of a tunnel of dark,
through which our souls embark.

I want to drink in the glorious glow,
to saver it deeply and slow.

It is still dark in here,
but the sky is shining in the distance clear.

STU 2011

Anger

Anger is a dual edged sword,
It begins by cutting its way into your heart,
Then it stays there embedded in your soul
Until you learn to let it part.

Often cutting the unintended,
slicing deeply open ended.

It is up to you to let it in,
to allow it to grow and fester there.
It is also up to you to let it go,
so its cruel cutting edge will not share.

the knife that cuts so deep inside,
until you open up your heart wide.

let it exit where it came through,
before it carves away the good in you.

the best way to beat its smite,
is to love with all your might.

Don't let the anger slice inside,
do not let it take you for a ride.

Anger is best not allowed to endure,
loving and forgiving is the cure.

I want to love with all my heart,
but the anger splits it apart.

god grant me the strength to let it go,
to allow my soul to grow.

I need a shield,
that is what I want to wield.

A shield that I can use to deflect,
but put away and reflect.

Anger is but one tool,
one that is used to fool,

Deep inside the heart is beating,
while the fear has me retreating.

goodbye anger, goodbye fear,
goodbye stress and hello cheer.

STU - 2011

Fog and Gloom

Fog and gloom may foretell doom,
but in your heart when the dark thoughts loom,
you can open up room.

Let your inner light glow,
then the world is a garden for you to sow.

STU 2010

Across the morning sky

 

Across the morning sky, 

a balloon was drifting by. 

Gliding, without a care, 

the sight was beyond compare. 

Oh how would it be, 

if life felt as free. 

STU Oct,2010 

Birds fly,
Leaves fall,
Water flows,
Black berries grow

Who guards the heavens?

Who guards the heavens?

Tis the moon with her fresh glow.
Tis the sun high and bright.
With these guardians we doth know.
Ever will it be all right!

-STU-

Papa

I watch, as you go.

You walk out the door,
You go to the big world out there.
It is a mystery, it makes my mind soar.

Mommy cares for me,
Day by day.
We long for you,
While your away.

Take me with you Daddy,
I want to see what you see.
Let me be with you Dad,
So I can learn how to be.

You are my link
to the world out there,
I am safe,
without a care.

I long to investigate,
I long to explore.
Teach me Papa,
Let me see what is in store.

Father, you are my teacher,
you complete my team.
You help me build knowledge,
as I build esteem.

-STU 2010

In her eyes

I gazed at the groom, standing resplendent in the front of the room, a crisp tuxedo and a smile that belied his nervous joy.  I did not have to cue into the music or turn to see that the bride had just come into view, his entire body relaxed, and a look came over him.

As I turned my gaze to the back of the room it was not her dress that I saw first, a beautiful white gown that glowed in the dimly lit room, rather it was her eyes.  She was not just looking ahead, she was locked in a deep connection with the groom all the way down the isle.  I was in the second row, of at least a dozen,  yet I could see the deep love pouring out across the room.  I followed what seemed to be a ripple in the air, followed her gaze until my eyes connected with the groom waiting there with the same gaze back to his bride. 

Congratulations, may your love deepen over the years, though it is clear you already have so much.

Silence

He awoke in the morning,

all were asleep.

Hush don’t wake them,

don’t make a peep.

 

Slip out slowly,

don’t make a sound.

Be sure to be silent,

till no ones around.

 

Should they hear you,

find a place to hide.

For sure don’t let them find you,

there are none on your side.

 

From inside your hamper,

don’t even breathe.

For if they hear,

they will surely seethe.

 

On your self you must rely,

for sure on no other.

Not on a sibling,

a father, or mother

 

STU -10/09

When your away

When your away, I try to cope.
It may seem to be that I am happy, but nope.

I keep my mind active, distracted
to you I am so attracted.

You seem to be aloof,
I consider repairing my roof.

You and I seem so disconnected,
but really we are so together,
We may feel dejected,
but when were alone were so forever.

Your smile is my everything,
You laughter my joy,

I am here loving you,
I am her missing you,

I am here love,

I am yours,

I
Love
You,

and to you I am true,

Together

I feel this strange feeling today,
it is a pulling from the center of my being.
What it is exactly I cannot say,
not one of the senses, not hearing or seing

Rather it is a tugging from within,
I feel it as it exacts its toll.
A deeper ripping there has never been,
The feeling of the ripping of my soul.

Come be with me my dear,
hold me, as is my lovers role.
Separate we shed a tear,
but together we are whole.

Vacation

The thing about being on vacation is that time really does not matter much, when someone asks what time is it you are prone to say, Tuesday or Lunch time. 

Cockroach Hunting

It is the dharma of a man to protect his loved ones, it is also the dharma to be the hunter for the tribe.  Never had my skills been put to the test before, yet when that first bugger crawled out of my shoe and scared my woman, it was on.  I grabbed the weapon of choice against such evil, the broom.  With her acting as my lookout, I was able to sweep it from behind the tv towards the door, only to my dismay it was now behind the door, and unlike our tiny versions in California, this bugger would not fit under the door.  Frantically I opened the door half way and like a skilled hockey player swept the bugger around the door and sent if flying over the front porch steps.  I had conquered, and my woman was safe, she came to me and gave me my reward.  Peels of laughter ensued, tears are welling inside me as I remember the tears of laughter we spilled that day.

Sea Turtles

The man pointed to a spot in the sand, John looked over and saw what looked like seaweed poking out of the sand, only upon closer inspection it was actually tiny flippers, the flippers of baby sea turtles.  He turned to look at her, She had a glow about her, a glow that he recognized as excitement, this was going to be  a night to remember.  The group of people were asked to make a line between the turtle nest and the shore, we did so in a sort of angled fashion.  it was only minutes before the tiny baby turtles began to launch their way forward towards the ocean.  The sight was amazing, such cute little babies not super well adapted for beach walking, skittering across the sand in search of the ocean, following the moons glow.


It is an amazing world we live in, truely amazing.  One evening we can see the most tiny of turtles, making their way to the ocean from their safe nest.  The way they skitter accross the sand and are thwarted by small rocks, sticks and even the footprints in the sand.  These turtles are only inches in size, and so cute you want to snatch one up and take it home for your aquarium.  But you don't, and later you are really glad you did not.  because your floating out on the bay, with a snorkel in your mouth watching the sea floor when you see it, a turtle, but not the baby size turtle you saw the night before, rather this is a huge turtle, it must be a hundred pounds, 3 feet in diameter at least.  It is feeding on the sea grass, enjoying a nice lunch as you float above it admiring its splendor.  The sea turtles are amazing the way they use their flippers to move from the sea bottom to the air that they need to breath for survival.  There is something to be said for watching the turtle surface, and moving you head above water to see the turtle grasp a breath of air, often repeating this a second time before dropping back down to forage on the sea floor.  This is an amazing animal, one that you could watch for hours hovering above it, being sure to be out of its path for air.  I have been told I do a good imitation of the way a turtle grasps it breath as it surfaces, but I am sure of this, I could never put into words the feelings you experience when you witness such and event.  I hope someday to return to this place, pehaps with my children so they can experience the sea, the sun and the joys of watching nature at its best along the sea floor. 

An evening on the beach

The beach was empty, not even a shadow of another human anywhere in sight.  The dark night was occasionally lit up by a long finger of lightening, followed after several seconds by the clap of thunder.  John was a little reluctant to pursue their evening activities so close to a thunder storm, but it did seem to be passing the cove by, working its way down the coast.  She was not as sensitive to the storm, and convinced him it would be alright, she had a way of making everything seem just a little safer, a little easier, just a bit more enjoyable so he went along with her, letting his fears melt into a gentle caution.  The wind was gentle, swaying trees and swishing waves were the only sound.  The moon reflected on the ocean, with the ripples of the waves breaking the otherwise pristine beam of light bouncing off the ocean.  He leaned in closely, their eyes locked with that sensual connection that must be felt to be recognized, but once it is felt the sight is unmistakable in the eyes staring back at you.  Their lips touched, softly they kissed as their arms wrapped around to form a firm embrace.  Time seemed to stand still, though the waves continued to crash to the shore, and the trees swayed in the breeze.  After what felt like a moment, yet was experienced as lifetime, the separated a little, leaving one arm holding on, they turned to wander slowly down the beach.