Author Archives: Herb Stone

poem: conscious aging, spiritual foresight, perennial wisdom

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poem: conscious aging,
spiritual foresight,
perennial wisdommindfully present
flowing in the
universal rhythms
of the Cosmos
here and now

letting go any
pretense of
hubris, sentimentality,
power, control,
and domination

pure being,
not desiring,
doing,
grasping,
or withholding

emptying,
opening,
uniting,
in the eternal, omnipresent
One Peace/One Love

sharing mutually
authentic presence
of belonging: witnesses,
prophets, seers, souls,
and saints

focusing, preparing, practicing,
participating, reflecting,
celebrating, liberating,
transitioning, whole-making,
arriving full-circle

Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 20, 2022

photo by author

“Full Circle”

poem: an elder’s perspective on time and space

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poem: an elder’s perspective
on time and space

thinking of the past is useless
unless it informs the present

always going for the gust
is a fool’s dream

worrying for tomorrow
a thief in the night

thus taking more time
mindfully present here and now

with loved ones, dear friends,
soul mates, and witnesses

wherever you go, there you are
you will find me there

covering less ground somewhere
between disengaged and belonging

close to home
Homeward bound

Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 27, 2022

author’s note: My reflection on aging

was sparked after reading Thomas Merton’s
quote, “Take more time, cover less ground.”
John Kabat- Zinn is reflected in a book title
of his, “Wherever You Go, There You Are.”
And Ram Dass’ iconic words, “Be Here Now”
from his book by the same title is
represented in the poem. Merton, a Catholic
monk; Kabat-Zinn, a biomedical scientist
influenced by Buddhism; and Ram Dass,
a Harvard social psychology research professor who became
a disciple of Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba.
These and others have been my teachers from
whom I have learned about living, aging, and dying.
I have tried to be a good student and continue to learn.
photo by author ‘On the Front Stoop’

poem: a caregiver’s satori

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poem: a caregiver’s satori

with the beauty of
a new autumn day
this tapestry
of colors

blue, pink, white
sky above
orange, red, yellow
leaves below

a caregiver’s day
begins early
it holding
much to do

caring for
my beloved
ordinary chores
and errands

here and now
this satori moment
and then the laundry,
meals, and dishes

Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 13, 2022

photos by author

poem: the autumn of life/ winter’s coming

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poem: the autumn of life/
winter’s coming

suddenly
a gust of Fall breeze
flattens the tall grass
with a swoosh

peacefully
butterflies dart
and flutter
in the frostweed

blissfully
the golden sun rays
play upon our skin
warming our core

gratefully
our breath catches
walking the path
heading home

mindfully
aware winter’s coming
and light’s fading; hope is
a glowing ember in our hearts

Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
October 2, 2022

photos by author

poem: autumn in its ascendancy

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poem: autumn in its ascendancy

autumns riot
of color, activity, and light
is a boon for our dulled senses

plants abloom, leaves turn,
bees gather, spiders weave,
golden light and shadows dance

let us find a field
entering as we are able
and marvel its rustic splendor

in awhile
dormancy, darkness, and decay
will send us sheltering inside reflecting

so all hail autumn
in your zenith here and now
harvesting what we may

Herb Stone
here&now working poetry
September 22, 2022 (Autumn Equinox)

photos by author