the miracle of gl

It occured to me yesterday during and acupucture appointement that the words we use to describe what we feel are surprisingly limited. After twenty minutes of free-flowing gi it wasn't peace or tranquility or sublimity. It was like something in a song. Like I was feeling tamberine. Maybe borrowing from the world of music could help us hit home a little closer to what we feel. Some days are too full of trumpet. Some moments to heavy on the bass.

Easter Poem

On Easter

Sad face faceted to a wall she sings
Of bitter-sweet memories the things she brings
The things she brings so long and tall
Faceted with her to that self-same wall

The wall within has unseen cracks
That yielded to a thousand backs
Upon the day of spring will glide
To glorious heaven in glorious chariot ride

The chariots wheels are bright on fire
With faith that’s bought with hands in mire
The spinning flame will catch the gaze of all
Who are faceted with doubts upon the wall

The wall will break in one mighty blow
When the trumpets blare their hope to sow
And crumble down to dust in wondrous heap
Setting free the limbs of those that sleep

When those that sleep with watery eyes
Fall to their knees to see the skies
Will sing in round eternal voice
And vengeance from the grave rejoice

The things she brings within in her stay
And will not falter, fracture, fray
The wall without hence broken up
Can-not, will-not fill her cup

The body light now moving free
Marrowed, boned, skinned entity
Without she moves in visual grace
Within she hides an haggard face

Face faceted to a callous wall
Face feeling, failing in bitter gall
Bellows out a melody
That puts without within—mercy!

And then a second time the wall
Will fracture, tumble, crash and fall
Bright chariot wheels will flash the sky
And by the rounds reflect her eye.

Twice He was crossed to heal her face
Without, within, twice healed by grace.

Buddha's Joy revisited

I think I may have found one of the reasons for last summers out-raged californians. We have Mitt Romney to blame. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1638065,00.html. This was just a week and a bit before our incident. And yeah, we were sporting Utah plates.

The Homing Turtle

I'm still trying to figure this one out. Another mystery to unravel. Last summer while Dad was passing through Missouri he picked up a turtle that was, as the time trying to cross the freeway. He'd already seen a few that had been hit and didn't want this one to suffer the same fate. So he put it in the little mini fridge in the hatch of the truck and brought it home to Utah with him. The grandkids in particular were thrilled. We weren't sure how well the turtle would do in Utah's climate or if he'd find food but we trusted it to its own instincts and let it go in our back yard.

The turtle was gone within a day and for a couple weeks we forgot about it. Then, one day one of our neighbors came knocking. "I just saw this trying to cross the road and just about hit it. Is this your turtle by chance?" Mom said it was and asked how our neighbor knew. She said she just 'figured'. We were happy to have the turtle back but still had no place to contain him. Dad at one point suggested that we drill a small hole in the shell and keep him on a leash--something he'd seen a family do down south. But we all agreed we should just let it go again in the back yard. The little guy still looked healthy and thats all we could really hope for him. Twiced discovered in the road, once returned.

We wouldn't have thought a thing about this slightly peculiar return except that the very same thing happen five more times within the next six weeks. Each time someone in our neighborhood brought the turtle back saying, 'we found it trying to cross the road and thought it might be yours.' Yeah, it started to creep us out just a bit. I had noticed the first time I saw the turtle that it had quite outstanding red eyes. After six weeks of this lost and found process the poor little buggers eyes just seemed to be screeming 'let me go!' The last guy to return the turtle was not even a local. He was just passing through on a visit and saw the turtle crossing the road. Ours wasn't even the closest house but that's where he came. We I asked him why he said, "I just thought this might be the place."

After several failed attempts to think up a sensible conspiracy theory I've concluded that sometimes weird things just happen. Its been four months since anyone has seen the turtle and we are hoping he's faring well in Utah's winter. Maybe we'll see him again next summer.

Semester in Hawaii

I've finished the first semester of what has been a very difficult Korean studies program so for. The final presentation was yesterday. I spoke for 35 minutes about Koreas most esteemed and most controversial President--a guy named Pak Jung Hee. I never would have guessed two years ago when I was pouring over Shakespeare and Browning that I could take such an interest in a person that is so obscure to the western world and all that I know and am familiar with. But it has been good. I feel good about the fruits of the semester and have few days now before returning to the land of ice and snow to soak in the sun on the beaches. My roomate and I took a beating today in the 10 ft waves at Maka Pu'u on the east shore. It's thrilling and terrifying at the same time.

For the first time in the season I'm actually thinking about Christmas. Funny, yet understandable, I'm really looking forward to the snow and cold weather. It's not Christmas without it. I hear Bing Crosby singing on the radio here and look out and see only blue skys and palm trees and have to laugh.

The Spiral Jetty

Some friends and I took, what for me, was a second trip to the sprial jetty the sunday before last. It occured to me that Robert Smithson's idea is working, so far as the jetty goes. I guess he has some eight or nine of what he called, 'earthworks' spread out in different places from Rome to Manhattan to Texas. The idea of getting people to come to unusual places in nature, i think, is a good one. Because, I would normally probably stop at the golden spike monument if I even got that far. The jetty is not an easy visit. From Korin it takes about 30 minutes to get to golden spike and from there it is 23 miles of dirt road to the north rim of the salk lake where the jetty is located.

Both times I've been there, I haven't been alone. by that I mean our group hasn't been exclusive. Other people were there to check it out. The jetty itself is impressive but not nearly so as the north rim of the lake. Out their where the saltwater meets the basalt rock from the ridges behind, you feel like you're on the moon or better than the moon. I don't know that ethereal or extraterrestrial describes it either. It's almost--holy. Gazing across the lake it's difficult to tell where earth ends and heaven begins. It's liminal space at its best.

ps. All those in favor of straitening the jetty please leave your comments in the affirmative here.

Buddha's Joy

My sister, brother and I were returning from a 4th of July trip to Afton Wyoming this weekend when we encountered some rather rude Californians. We were moving along nicely in our 81' beater truck when they started flashing their lights and waving a cell phone at us hysterically. We pulled over to find out what the issue was and the lady in the passenger seat sprung out and threatened to call the **#*$$*% police if we didn't put the **#*$(#( dog in the cab. Her husband was echoing her every word from the driver's seat of their white SUV.

Buddha, our pet dog of six years was up on top of all the camping stuff with his nose to the wind. From inside the cab we were taking pictures of him because he looked pretty comical with his ears flapping in the wind. In some ways, it was Buddha at his best. He was taking in the sights, sounds and smells with a lively curiosity. He was happy surfing the rain clean air of Star Valley. Enter crazy animal rights activists.

We were incredulous at first. We couldn't understand why they were so upset. We assured them that the dog would be fine and kept driving. Much to their chagrin. I can only imagine what conversation they had with the local police but at some point they must have realized that they weren't getting any help. So they decided to follow us and for the next 150 miles they repeatedly passed us and then fell behind as the woman in the passenger seat took pictures. We smiled and waved--being both amused and annoyed by such eccentric behavior. I can only imagine how useless those pictures will be to her when she files her complaint with the ESPCA.

So, Mr. and Mrs. Supersensitive to Dog Rights, if you ever read this, please remember that in most cases people should get at least as much respect as animals. And rest assured that Buddha is safely and happily home.