Alchemy

---> I watched it turn
from metal aggregate-grey
to warm, soft gold in
the heat radiated from
the top of our wood
stove.
---> It took a couple
of days for alchemy
To transpire,
replacing heavy storm-
cloud atoms with shining
sun molecules.

---> the dumbbell,
transmutated.

Spaceship clouds

from my Tao journal 12/9/11

“Trascending Decline” the ninth passage of the Tao Te Ching;

‘Holding to fullness

Is not as good as stopping in time.

Sharpness that probes

Cannot protect for long.

A house filled with riches

Cannot be defended.

Pride in wealth and position

Is overlooking one’s collapse.

Withdrawing when success is achieved

Is the Tao in nature.’

            The last line speaks deeply, truly, personally. It means much, though it says little. It makes sense, though what it says is not how society works currently.

            Instead of a fish scrabbling to keep it’s place in the perceived waterfall of life and success, this passage speaks of a needle dipping in and out of the fabric of the universe, staying above the material only long enough to secure a stitch in place before diving back down beneath. The longer-lasting mark on the world belongs to the needle; The fish fights to hold its place only for reasons of the self, but the needle strives to strengthen and beautify the fabric of all.

           

            To stand only as long as the effect holds, and to dip back down below the threshold instead of milking the deed -the attention bestowed upon the deed- for all it’s worth. 

Sunset in Grain (Stupid blogger...)

Tell me, what are you thankful for?

Well, Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and lately I've been thinking about what I'm grateful for in light of recent events, in the personal and global spectrum. So, without further ado, here's a list of the ten things I'm most thankful for as the hours tick off to Thanksgiving:
# Youtube
# Free internet
# Family
# Raven, B., J., and Kathryn
# My entire family
# The Tao Te Ching
# Lloyd Alexander
# Orson Scott Card
# Innovation
# Free thinkers

Whoever reads this, I'd very much like it if you would post a list of the ten or more things you're thankful for, I'm looking forward to reading your lists :)

Three

The sky in Fire and Ice (grainy, 'cause Blogger stinks)

Society forgets the old and wise, while the young and fresh are institutionalized

As the river flows-

On, or off, The eyes that see-

begin to fade dull

Kira-Kira, by Cynthia Kadohata

I've read "Kira-Kira" three times.
I don't particularly remember reading it the first time, but the second time,  I remember thinking I had read it before.
The third time, I faintly remembered reading it, but I thought the characters had been American-India-an... I have no idea where that came from, as they're actually Japanese.

I've cried at the ending at least two times; it's a powerful story, written from an intriguing point of view.

I find myself wondering if I'll remember reading "Kira-Kira" the next time I come across it in my home, library, or anywhere else. I wonder...

Letter that I wrote originally for my letters blog

Dear Occupy Wallstreeters,
        I recently read an article about the letters and donations you guys receive from all over, one letter caught my eye in particular, it said that the Occupy Wallstreet movement must have -needs leaders, in order to survive with it's values intact.
        I disagree completely.
I think that leaders would ruin the whole idea of what you are trying to do, and what's more, leaders can be easily swayed and corrupted.
        Followers look to a leader for direction and influence, It is too easy to allow a leader take over your opinions, values, and your entire movement.
The reason the Occupy Wallstreet movement has survived this long is because you have no concrete demands; as has been said before, you have no particular requests, so nobody can say 'I've solved your problem, now quietly go away and bother us no more'.
        I believe you are changing the people's thinking, they see you and what you are doing, they hear what you have to say, I think that is more important than having a strongly opinionated leader.
        A leader would direct toward division, not unification.
        And I believe that unification is exactly what you are aiming to accomplish.
               Sincerely yours,
                    Amoniel