Shadow Flowers [Haiku]

clouds break up;
light shifts toward
wildflower patch.

Koi Dance [Haiku]

koi - in a pond -
spiral together
and apart.

DAILY PHOTO: Blue & Gold Temple in Bangalore

“It might be lonlier” (405) by Emily Dickinson [w/ Audio]

It might be lonelier
Without the Loneliness —
I'm so accustomed to my Fate —
Perhaps the Other — Peace —

Would interrupt the Dark —
And crowd the little Room —
Too scant — by Cubits — to contain
The Sacrament — of Him —

I am not used to Hope —
It might intrude upon —
Its sweet parade — blaspheme the place —
Ordained to Suffering —

It might be easier
To fail — with Land in Sight —
Than gain — My Blue Peninsula —
To perish — of Delight —

PROMPT: Profession

Daily writing prompt
What profession do you admire most and why?

Nurse. I think it takes a tremendous level of humility and compassion. Also, I suspect it may be among the last handful of human jobs (as we know them now) to still exist once AI-robots start doing pretty much all productive tasks better, faster, and more efficiently than humans. I think long after our doctors are machines, we will have human nurses.

DAILY PHOTO: Lalbagh Flower Show, 2025

“Everyone’s Journey” by Sōgi [w/ Audio]

Everyone's journey
through this world is the same,
so I won't complain.
Here on the plains of Nasu,
I place my trust in the dew.

NOTE: This translation by Sam Hamill in The Poetry of Zen (2004) Boston: Shambhala, p. 131.

PROMPT: Sell

Daily writing prompt
If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?

Experiences and lessons.

DAILY PHOTO: Mural in Bangalore

“A face devoid of love or grace” (1711) by Emily Dickinson [w/ Audio]

A face devoid of love or grace,
A hateful, hard, successful face,
A face with which a stone
Would feel as thoroughly at ease
As were they old acquaintances —
First time together thrown.