The Zen of Renewal OR Outlook, Positive

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

So many people tell me every year that they dread January 1^st, a whole new year stretching ahead that is unlikely to live up to either Happy Christmas or New Year celebrations. January sales on the High Street are more likely to be suspect than generous (shifting unwanted stock) and any excitement over ‘bargains’ short-lived. 

So, what next? What, indeed…? Dare I suggest it is down to us…not circumstances-beyond-our-control or fate by any other name …but us. 

Oh, we are not entirely in control of whatever life dishes us. That is SO true. We ARE, though, in control (if we choose to take it) of how – in the longer term at least – we choose to respond. We all have choices and many if not most of these are not easily made, but choosing positives over negatives has to be a good thing … well, doesn’t it?

Now, if New Year creates a sense of renewal in us, that is just the start - albeit a good one - of a lifetime process; we  need to keep up the momentum during the months to come, do our best to stay positive whatever life (and weather) chooses to throw at us. (Did I say it would be easy?)

An integral part of the human condition is its spirit, regardless of whether or not we subscribe to any religion; we need to trust it to see us through any bad times and return us to a positive sense of who we really are ... better than the worst life can throw at us, for a start

Once we start feeding negative thoughts into mind-body-spirit, the chances are it will go onto free fall sooner rather than later. I've done that, been there and ... never again, if I can help it.

Here's wishing you all a Happy, Positive and Peaceful life,

Love 'n' Hugs,

Roger x

THE ZEN OF RENEWAL or OUTLOOK, POSITIVE

Another year begs

to be enjoyed for its own sake,

not as reparation

for others that have let us down,

failed to live up

to expectations feeding dreams

that fail to mature…

because that’s just how it is,

the way we are?

Another year

pleads a chance to prove itself,

not as reparation

for glossing over past misfortunes

turning mountains

into molehills so the human ego

can rest easy…

because that’s just how it is,

the way we are?

Another year

when looking back at negatives

will get us nowhere

unless it’s back where we started

before we began

to get wise to false promises

and fake news…

because that’s just how it is,

the way we are?

Another year,

urging mind-body-spirit to listen

to its weaker self

focusing on losses, regrets, mistakes,

and making excuses

for not looking on the bright side

of life…

because that’s just how it is,

the way we are?

Another year,

making time to let a dawn chorus

reassure us all

that nature and human nature but wait

to be embraced

in a spirit of hope-peace-love

(raison d’être)

because that’s just how it is,

the way we are

Copyright R. N. Taber 2018

The Zen Guide to Eating Out

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I have eaten out several times with friends lately, and it was a real tonic, especially as I have not been feeling too well. It doesn’t have to cost a lot either.

Whether the meal is excellent, average or could be better…there’s nothing quite like eating out (or in) with old friends. We chat a lot (with or amongst each other, not on our phones!) which is all part of the fun. Mobile phones are great in SO many ways, BUT you can't beat face-to-face conversation. Some people, especially among the young, should try it more often while we older ones need to lead more by example lest it become an all but forgotten art.

This poem is a villanelle. [OK, I take a few liberties with 'hidden' rhyme - as regular readers will know I am inclined from time to time - but isn't that a poet's prerogative...?]

THE ZEN GUIDE TO EATING OUT

Welcoming and airy,
ever a good place to eat,
cue for good company

Bubbles of memory,
seducing us on the street,
welcoming and airy

A hint of strawberry
worthy of a summer meet,
cue for good company

Shades of a history,
regular Sandman’s beat,
welcoming and airy

Heavens, an eternity
to argue, ponder and wait,
cue for good company

A scrumptious reality
for mind, body, and spirit,
welcoming and airy,
cue for good company

Copyright R. N. Taber 2005; 2018

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears in A Feeling for the Quickness of Time by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2005. I posted a revised version on the blog in 2014 and have recently revised again in the light of critical feedback from readers, which I always take seriously.]

The Zen of Yellow Roses

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When a loved one dies, a part of us dies also. Yet, my experience of death has been that, even as time passes, the worst of grief fades, and memory may even start to play tricks on us, love sees us continuing to share in the experience of loving and being loved, the quality of our inner life is all the better for that.  

In the language of flowers the yellow rose is for remembrance. What better icon then for the mind to click on at birthdays, anniversaries, whenever loss makes itself especially felt, than a yellow rose, and let flower the bitter-sweet joy of a happy memory risen above its thorns?

This poem is a kenning.

THE ZEN OF YELLOW ROSES or 

I bring truth

where imagination would feed

on fear and speculation,

engage with those seeking comfort

and reassurance

in far darker places than even

Orpheus searching

for his lost love in the bowels

of the Earth

I combat the terrors

of sleepless nights spent tossing

and turning

in early hours with no respect

for human dignity

or a desperation feeding

on such crumbs of hope

as left out for birds in winter

at its worst

I bring a lasting sense

of peace to mind, body and spirit,

where shadows

gather like key conspirators

with intent to kill,

yet kept at bay by a natural

instinct for survival,

struggle though it may against

hellish odds

As a rose its thorns, to pain I rise above,

who am Remembrance-Peace-Love

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012

The Zen of Discernment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

As we go through life, how much do we discern regarding the nature of our surroundings, and how much do we take for granted?

This poem is a villanelle.

THE ZEN OF DISCERNMENT

Like ghosts, our years pass us,

(the mixed blessings of memory)

as hauntingly beautiful as stars

No lesser regard for science

than Earth Mother’s finer poetry,

like ghosts, our years pass us,

Images of laughter and tears

finest art can only ever but copy,

as hauntingly beautiful as stars

No hopes wing more precious

than family and friends in harmony;

like ghosts our years pass us

Come birdsong to fine old trees,

so joy and pain creating our history,

as hauntingly beautiful as stars

As centuries turn nature’s leaves,

so each human heart creates eternity

like ghosts, our years pass us,

as hauntingly beautiful as stars

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012

[From: Tracking the Torchbearer by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2012]

The Zen of Personal Space

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Sometimes we get lost in a scary, all but surreal landscape of conflicting emotions through which we cannot see our way clear to any safe haven. 

At such times, we need to call upon the inner self to step back from it all, create our own space, set mind, body and spirit free of temporal concerns just long enough to at least draw us a map that will guide us back into the real world..

We all need to take care that certain socio-cultural-religious obligations don't make such demands on us that mind-body-spirit is left screaming, "Please. just let me BE!" while other things (and people) that matter to us simply pass us by...

THE ZEN OF PERSONAL SPACE 

Looking for a shortcut to nowhere,
found a pretty little road
that turned out to be nothing more
than a dead end at a ring of dark water,
no way round

Tossing stones in a ring of dark water,
nothing much else to do
but watch ever-widening circles
pass out of sight like poetic  shadows
in a weepy, leafy, light

Among poetic shadows in a leafy light,
a face darting in and out
like the Cheshire Cat in a classic take
on escapism from the chaos of our reality
into sheer pandemonium

No escape, only ever-widening circles
across a ring of dark water,
subject to the swing of a human arm,
measure of a human eye, raging of a beast
left impotent by despair

Surely, plaintive cries growing weaker
like ripples on a ring of dark water
chasing The Cat into the same nowhere
that’s begging a shortcut, brief respite 
for mind-body-spirit

Past-present-future engaging the senses
to suss the integrity of  imagination,
let ripples in a leafy light lent us by whim
or other of nature 's moods suggest a way yet 
to cross a ring of dark water


Copyright R. N. Taber 2013 [Rev. + Alt title 2/19]

The Zen of Flower Arranging

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

This poem has appeared in several anthologies and is a favourite of mine. Feedback suggests that it is a favourite with many of you, too, so that is great news. I know I am seen as something of an anachronism by many people because my frequent use of rhythm and rhyme is not what they have come to expect from modern poetry.

Positive feedback is always especially welcome and very encouraging. At the same time, never hold back from getting in touch to tell me otherwise; if you have something to say, say it, and if you email me (rogertab@aol.com) or include an email address if using using the Comments box, I will always reply/ Although I never post comments, I always read them, and thanks for sending.

THE ZEN OF FLOWER ARRANGING

Flowers in my window saying I love you;

flowers in my window showing how I care;

flowers in my window, dreaming of you;

flowers in my window to tell you I’m near

Flowers in my window, story of our love,

a sweet dream of springtime in winter’s sigh;

Flowers in my window, make a fine show

of welcoming the world though it pass us by

Flowers in my window, reflections of you;

flowers in my window, highlights in the hair;

flowers in my window, love running true;

flowers in my window, as if you were here

Dreams in my window, we'll always believe;

dreams in my window, gifts from your grave

Copyright R N Taber 2007. 2019

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears in Accomplices to Illusion by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2007.]