Seeing The Essence

I like leaves and lichen

the bark of trees

watching bees and if you please

picnicking with just an apple

while I am sitting on a grassy knoll

and resting briefly from the stroll

through the forest, or on the trail

what I see in front of me

is the treasure of the find

feather, pebble or photograph

and now I have been told

to bring my little sketchbook too

as a simple drawing

becomes my breakthrough

into storing

memories

if you please.

I say ‘if you please’,

as I feel I need helpers to

teach me drawing

so that I will do

something worth showing you.

But that is not what I need

never worry about the others

draw for nature and all the Devas

bring your gentle eyes to see

all that is hidden generally

from those who rush through life

and miss the lichen or the feathers

never, ever, looking down

at a close-up study of what’s around.

We think every grain of sand

is the same as every other

but is it so, I do wonder.

Every leaf is not the same

and every feather knows it came

from it’s own bird, passing by

and the pattern there does not lie.

Each feather landed where it is

as things come from where they Be

and finding them is a treat

and drawing them helps you see.

Draw anything and do it quickly,

or look closely

and then look away

and use your memory to display

a little image of how it was

in the instant of the sketch,

and if it looks not like what others see

that does not matter materially

as the exercise is to observe

and with your eye

perceive what’s new

not to the object, but to your view.

Every way we look at things

brings us something to begin

to understand a different way

and a close-up from a study

simplifies what the eyes do see,

as it has detail with every view

so sketch the essence coming through.

Look at life and yourself

see what’s new, that always was,

and see how you

can look right through

to the essence of the moment,

what is it here to show,

what do you See

what do you know.

Will you ever be your Self,

is your essence in the heart of you

what others see, or what you do.

Will you ever be yourself

will you just simply Be

who you are for all to see.

Oh, what joy we all would feel

if we were true

and looked the same in every sketch

just a simple Being

with a certain smile

and all the day and every-while

we know we are loved

and we simply follow all the signs along our path

to live in clarity and live with heart.

So I will take my sketchbook now

and look for me

and see just how I picture in the pencil view,

will I paint myself in iridescent hues.

Whatever way I live my day

may it be in truth and light

with some play and honesty,

may nature spirits dance with me.

(Written on the Autumn Equinox, March 21, 2014)