Last Sunday, I pursued the subtle. It was good preparation for some wild days that erupted later in the week!. With the energy burst of May blooms, there is also the touch of the wild and a whirl-wind of activity as the culture revs up, before summer. Today is Mother's Day, a time of appreciation for those who "mother" us, and hopefully that appreciation includes a small window that allows "moms" a day of ease. Even with all our modern appliances, and our knowledge of the importance of balance in life, "moms" lead pressured lives. I use the word "mom" to acknowledge every year, those who assume the role--regardless of the genetics and lineage-- of mother.
In my world, the past week erupted in that whirl-wind push of May with scheduling shifts, local school events, last minute errands, and well...Life blooming. One evening, a rushed dinner prep, put all the busyness into spiritual perspective. Unloading some hastily bought groceries, I shoved things into the refrigerator. Then, I remembered I didn't clean the radishes. I keep them prepped in the fridge for easy last minute salads. With a tired sigh, I begrudgingly found a knife and a colander, and began to trim and wash. Then a thought popped into my mind:
"The man pulling radishes, pointed the way with a radish." (Issa)
I have not thought of Issa's poem for a long time, and I had to smile (and relax), that it so spontaneously floated into my awareness. Kobayashi Nobuyuki, (1763-1828) is a famed Japanese Haiku poet. In many ways, he had a tragic life, including the death of his mother, when he was only 3. Yet, his poetry lives on in the beauty of simplicity that offers layers and layers of meaning. The poem nudged me to finish my chore and then sit with it in meditation.
Sometimes, it is the very light touch of another's journey that brings us to Peace. May is full of signs and wonder, including the stray thought that leads us back to our own inner path. (Susan Nettleton)
"In the cherry blossom's shade, there's no such thing as a stranger." Issa
For poetry: https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/B/Buson/springrain/index.html https://www.poeticous.com/david-whyte/the-lightest-touch https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/I/IssaKobayash/springday/index.html https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/L/LeeLiYoung/BecomeBecomi/index.html