Pebbles of the moment

One morning the dream world leaves words in my mouth:
the present is a point of energy seeking direction.

I tug at that prompt and an army of words marches onto an empty field.

Eager words, yearning for a band and bright flag, a stand of cheering patriots, hands over hearts.

Too many words for the 90-second program.

Space only for the color guard while the rest stand in sidelined shade, dutiful shoulders back, uniforms pressed, rifles at the ready.

Pebbles of the Moment

The present is a point of energy seeking direction.

The present is a deceiver whispering assurances 

that he knows the future and that it looks just like him, 

that he is in charge, saying "just hold fast and all will be well."

The past is a landscape of experience 

and momentary knowings, 

some a needle sharp virtual reality, 

some blurring like old photos, 

some already in the land of here-there-be-dragons.

The past is a trickster, a shape-shifting juggler 

tossing you colorful memory balls, 

in truth merely water balloons, bursting as you catch them, 

drenching you today with the emotions of then.

The future is a galaxy of bright stars 

coolly winking their promises of perfection.

The future is a sensuous siren shimmering her rainbow colors, 

blinding your eyes, emboldening your heart, 

luring you closer to the unseen rocks of reality.

and then there is you 

 

struggling to be present, aware,

holding that squirming energy,

wet-faced and torn with remembering,

yearning for that just-out-of-reach star promise, 

cracking under the fearful weight of past failures,

grasping for that hand of the confident deceiver,

and, ever and always, missing, 

arm left outstretched into the deceiving void.

bedazzled by possibilities,

chained by the familiarity of today and yesterday,

overlooking the sparkling pebbles at your feet,

you float like dandelion fluff

on the capricious winds of chance.

until … until … 

 

your eyes fall away from the stars,

your heart turns away from yesterday,

you pick up one of the pebbles at your feet,

feel its sun warmth pulsing in your hands,

slowly turn in a wide circle,

see the forests greening around you,

hear the birds singing their welcome song

and know that you are already home,

and this moment is all that is.