Kissing the Earth

When we walk like rushing, we print anxiety and sorrow on the earth. We have to walk in a way that we only print Peace and Serenity on the earth... Be aware of the contact between your feet and the Earth.

Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

I just read these words on another blog (here – Jan is always making me think!). I often walk like my mother these days – full speed ahead as if there will be a prize (like maybe cake!) if I get there more quickly.

[No, I’m not cake obsessed – what makes you say that?]

Anyway, as I’m walking tonight I’m going to try to keep Thich Nhat Hanh’s words in mind. I’ll walk with peace and serenity, caressing creation instead of stomping on it.

One Shot Wednesday – Stormy Weather

Stormy Weather

I close my eyes.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Concentrate on that point
just over the horizon.
I imagine my thoughts
drifting by like clouds.
I imagine that I will
brush them aside
like some grand god.

Well, like some grand god
who takes each cloud
and examines it
minutely for chances
of rain or hail
or snow or sleet.
Because the weather
in my soul is always
tricky like that

I never get past these
turbulent clouds.
Is that all there is?
I am drifting in
a weather balloon
terrified that there
is nothing below me,
nothing within me.
Nothing at all.


I've been reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I just finished the "Pray" section. Apparently it blew my mind just a little bit. Or a lot.


This poem is part of One Stop Poetry's One Shot Wednesday poetry gathering, where all poets are welcome to share. Make the rounds!