Archive for March, 2009

I tried to lose them -
running, twisting, hiding.
Yet they’re still there.

I told them they are
not welcome – but they
never listen.

They demand my
attention and destroy
my peace.

They refuse to leave.

They came close once -
reminded me of a tornado
clearing a path.

I know what will
happened should I stop.
They’ll catch me.

They will engulf my
soul – unforgiving flames,
consume and destroy.

Have they ever
followed you?

Their names are
Pain, Sorrow and Grief.

- – - – - – - -
The death of a loved one. As I grieved, I also watched those around me who grieved. I ‘saw’ their emotions as described in this entry.

Jan Toomer
(JAN 97)

Grey hairs
surround the
no longer firm face.

Wisdom speaks
where rash
words once exited.

The walk more
confident – no longer
hesitant.

Ears clouded
from years of
loud rock.

Lines no longer
crisp, eyes see
beyond materialistic.

Yesterday’s teen -
Today’s parent -
Tomorrow’s elder.

Where did time go?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Variation on the “Maiden, Mother and Crone”

Jan Toomer
(APR97)

Each passing day brings
the physical body closer to demise;
the soul closer to it’s Maker.

So what’s left of us on Earth afterwards?
“Plenty!” I say.

Think about friendships you have shared;
strangers you have helped and smiles you have passed along.

Think about words of encouragment, counsel
and kindness you have freely given.

Think about memories you have built
with friends and loved ones.

What’s left of you when you pass on?

Everything that has made you YOU
lives on in those that your life had touched.

Whoever said there’s no such thing as immortality
was wrong.

We do live on,
forever.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
For a dear someone, to remind her – even if she didn’t believe in reincarnation – we are still immortal.

Jan Toomer
(OCT96)

When I was younger, I would go ‘people-watching’. I’d go to the mall, literally sitting and watching people go by.  I watched how they walked; if they were with others, I watched how they interacted with them; and watched to see if people were paying attention to their surroundings.

I’d wonder if they were having a good day or bad, and if they were just existing – going through the motions.

I began to realize that most people walked around with a “do not disturb” bubble around them. They cut themselves off from their surroundings. Their goal was to get in, get what they came for, and get out, with minimal interaction.

I then began watching outside critters – rabbits, birds, lizards, insects, snakes, etc.

Out of every creature I watched, I realized that not one of them had a “do not disturb” bubble around them. Sure, they don’t interact all the time (everyone likes some down time!) – but not one had the self-isolation bubble that I saw so frequently with humans.

The majority of critters, even when they appeared totally self-involved, were not. They were aware at all times.

Yeah, survival techniques; I got that. But, they were also in touch with their environment. They were AWARE.

When did so many humans lose that? Can we get it back?

Jan Toomer
February 25, 2009