The challenge this week was to use synonyms for “open” and “close”. I may have only implied open, but hopefully that is acceptable.
How long did I stare At the shut door of my dreams Before I just pushed?
Join the challenger here.
Author: boz bozeman
Gogyohka for #tankatuesday
This challenge asked us to meditate on a cup and examine a painting. I chose my favorite coffee mug. While observing it, I noticed aspects that I had not observed before. The style I chose is a gogyohka. I wrote five lines, and went with 6/7/6/7/7 for syllables to give it a rhythm.
My mug used to be red Now it has beige striations I see that it is glazed. When I raise it to my lips Drinking is like a kiss.
Join the challenge here.
Better late than never for #tankatuesday
The challenge this week was to write about the photo below. The aspect I chose to focus on is the Pheonix.
Like the bird that burns I will taste defeat's ashes And start a new fire
There will be a new challenge tomorrow here.
Keeping the streak alive
When we arrived in Boston I realized I had forgotten my Fitbit charger. The battery was at 9%.
Instantly the end of my 400+ step streak flashed in my brain. And I confess that Mr. Taoism freaked out. I’ve sacrificed some to maintain this streak, and the thought of it ending because of a dead 🪫 was really upsetting.
Then my brain kicked in. I’m in Boston. Surely I can find a charger somewhere.
Calmer, I searched, and sure enough the nearby Best Buy had a charger. I ordered it, got in a cab, and picked it up:
I was immensely relieved and a little humbled. If I learned a lesson, next time I’ll skip the meltdown and go right to solving the problem. I’m sure my wife would appreciate it.
Red poem for #TankaTuesday
This challenge was to use a color and a word associated with it. I chose “red” and “bravery”.
Red is in my name Mark, born in March, the month of Mars. But I despise war Though it takes bravery to Fight, the bravest fight for peace. I wish you all a peaceful week. Join the fun here.
Masterpiece?!
I received this email and it definitely made my day.
To have the word “masterpiece” associated with my book is hard to take in. Of course, it fills me with pride. “Simplicity and wisdom” is exactly what I was going for, so to have a reader recognize that and take time out to comment on it is amazing.
This won’t go to my head, though. I am humbled by the presence of two luminous philosophies in my book. That I was bright enough to find the connection between the two of them says something about me, for sure, but Thoreau and Taoism deserve almost all the credit if this is indeed a masterpiece.
Have you checked out my book? This link will lead you to the Amazon order page where you can read more about it and perhaps make a purchase: Tao of Thoreau
Soft Wild
The other day on my hike I started taking pictures of wildflowers. Most of them had tiny blooms. I love how beauty can range from miniscule to cosmic.
But I really started thinking about the word “wild”. Wild and wildlife conjure images of tigers, hyenas, coyotes and bears. Roaming, hungry, savage and untamed.
Wildflowers? They don’t reflect any of those adjectives. This side of the wild is delicate, beautiful, intricate and small.
Yet they are wild. They grow in meadows and along woodland paths. Yet they also grow on highway verges, rocky cliffsides, even cracks in the sidewalk.
The soft side of wild is defined by beauty, peace and persistence. The same strength and resilience that an animal needs to survive in the wild is represented by these fragile, lovely flowers.
Spirit Animal for #tankstuesday
The challenge this week is to find your spirit animal and write a poem about it. The quiz is fun, and can be found here.
I got a butterfly! I was just thinking about how they fly in unusual patterns, so I came up with this poem:
Like the butterfly I move in a spiral flight Repetitious growth
Find the challenge here.
Simplicity, patience, compassion
One of my favorite passages from Tao te Ching is:
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and in thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world
(Translation by Stephen Mitchell, 1995)
This passage is such an incredible guide, as is the whole of that remarkable, ancient book. These words constantly return me to the lessons they teach, which are both straightforward and difficult to practice continuously.
Simplicity is something I do attempt to practice, and it has helped me control my desires and work on my dreams without being let down when they don’t work out exactly the way I want them to.
Patience is probably my strongest attribute: after all, I am a 7th grade teacher! I have learned to be more patient with my dreams, understanding that I must continue to put in the work as they grow and come true.
I have worked on being compassionate with myself. I used to have a lot of negative self-talk. This came from a period when I was unreliable and irresponsible. It has been a long time since I was like that, but the negative thoughts were powerful, because they were once necessary. Since I have changed, I have worked on replacing them with positive words, and it has helped me to stay on track and learn lessons without beating myself up.
Simplicity, patience, compassion: three powerful words that taken together form a path for a healthy life.
Fantasy poem for #TankaTuesday
Fairy flight through forest tendrils Aragorn hears the frantic flutter Nightmares of elves chased by orcs sent by Trickster gods laughing at heroes Avalon opens it gates and sends its Swords to protect the small and innocent "Yield" the warriors shout to their foes
The challenger this week was to write an acrostic syllabic poem. I went with the word “Fantasy.”
Here’s the link if you’re curious.
Mark Bozeman 