rock, snow, iced over pond

 snow, rock, icy pond
dried grasses stand like straws
rub up against ice               

 

peace

the temple bell stops
but the sound keeps coming
out of the flowers
~Basho

at beach in silence

clouds wisp in shapes of crosses
dead low tide, with barely a ripple
last hour of sun paints points
glitter on flat tummy tan sand

imprints on sand espouse
ancient ceremonies--nearing
sunset, seagulls gather
purposes parade in cackles of crows

Kate Lamberg

photo by Kate Lamberg

rain paints clear crystals

The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”--Ralph Waldo Emerson


rain paints clear crystals
light wind caresses red leaves
joy in quiet mind 

photo and haiku by kate lamberg, all rights reserved..(c)

water swirls with light

In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.~ Rumi

water swirls with light
with such delight, we write poems
& dance--call it love

Kate Lamberg

swirling water photo, by Kate Lamberg~

Happy Winter Solstice!

Wishing everyone a wonderful bright and joyous winter solstice!
May everyone feel the fullness of the sun's return, as the days once again lengthen.
Sending special prayers of comfort and joy to all those who are grieving losses,
battling an illness, feeling lonely, hurt, challenged in any way.
I shall be burning candles all night for the upliftment
of everyone. In spirit, we are all one heart, one love!

Brightest Blessings and all my love,
Kate

i am forced to polish my inner lamp

We cannot live for ourselves alone.
Our lives are connected
by a thousand invisible threads..
~ Herman Melville

i am forced to step through
the small doorway, and hold
hands with the light that was
always there--just hidden from view

i am forced to polish my inner
lamp ever more brightly
so as to feel the light shining
burning from the inside out

atrocities can kill the spirit
when we take the hand of mind's insistence;
we can choose the heart- just on the surface
of the pond's soul to take control

shining luminosity from forest to star cluster
from green algae, our swans glide smoothly above
to the squirrel's green eyes resting on fallen log
in this moment of loving- we remind ourselves

the more we practice compassion
the more we can shine the light
for others who are in pain

the sun and rain:
in misty harmony,
WE will find peace again

as we witness the oneness woven
each of us-- a perfect thread
stitched into the same peaceful blanket

reds, purples, blacks,
whites, yellows, blues-

we can only contribute
to each other's beauty

what we take away

from ourselves, we take away
from the blessed
whole of humanity

so be it

Kate Lamberg 

it's not the thoughts

it is not the thoughts
but our attachment to them
that makes us crazy

if we could only
look at thoughts--as if they were
leaves, garnets, or pearls

floating down the  river;
once the water takes a turn,
jeweled thoughts dissolve like tears

the clear still point breathes
its own life within our soul
brimming with liquid joy

Kate Lamberg

Day before Winter Solstice

On my sunny walk today, in preparation for tomorrow's Winter Solstice, I felt a calling to do some energy balancing. I stopped and breathed the fire energies (the sun) down to my crown, while I breathed the earth energies up from the soles of me feet. A gentle side sway movement allowed for the fluidity of air (wind) to meet and to dance with water (sea) energies. Feeling all the elements in balance, enhances my well-being and my abilities to facilitate healing. In quiet gratitude. (( ♥ ))

we still believe

“The human soul has still greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist; it is by the ideal that we live.”
 ~Victor Hugo

we still believe in
hopscotch, strawberry shortcake
birthday magic for all

Kate Lamberg

'magical celebration'..internet photo

every leaf and flower

In a forest of a hundred thousand trees,
no two leaves are alike.
~ Paulo Coelho

every leaf and flower,
blade of grass, smiles on faces
different,  yet the same

as lotus center
remains a strong still circle
each petal, unique

the center of  hearts
continue to be one with
love's simple purity

Kate Lamberg

autumn leaves, by Kate Lamberg

clay softens uner the lightest pressure

As clay anchors a tree in light and wind - may your outer life grow from peace within ~ John O'Donohue



clay softens under the lightest pressure of warm moist hands
once fired, hardens into both a sight of beauty and something
useful for placing flowers in, or sipping hot sweet green tea out of

when we sip tea out of earthen clay vessels, we pause to appreciate
the origin of the solid shiny green mug & where the soft flowery herb
began to shoot its flowers, & grow towards the sunlight- as its gentle

sweet aroma floods our senses, we become grateful
for all things which need to grow and need to die
we grow towards the light of our present

relaxed in the knowing
the music that plays when we drink
shares our joy- wafting through the distant hills

Kate Lamberg
12/11/12

trees touch the sky-photo by Kate Lamberg

Judge nothing, and you will be happy. (Shri Chimnoy)

“Judge nothing, you will be happy. Forgive everything, you will be happier. Love everything, you will be happiest.” ~Shri Chinmoy

Mt. Baker photo by Kate Lamberg~

I don't believe we always choose what happens to us.

I don't believe we always choose what happens to us. That includes our depressions. chronic illness,  or our negative experiences with other people.  No one wishes to suffer,  or be a victim to a bullying insensitive critical judgmental person. We are often victimized by negative people and situations. That does not make us "the victim".  Some experiences may be brought to us in order to grow.

However I don't believe we choose to suffer. Things happen to the best, kindest, most loving, light filled, well-intentioned people. It is not loving, supportive. or growth inducing to say "everything is a choice". I am writing this post, as a  response to certain love and light communities who seem to feel --by simply putting on the crystal crown,  and choosing to flow with ease, then all will be well and healed in our world.

Yes, I agree with many of my friends--- that shit happens.  It is our way of responding to stress and difficulty that may make or break us. Following a program of sound diet, exercise, meditation, yoga, soothing music, supportive friends, being in nature all help to reduce the stress. Which brings a greater balance in one's mind body and soul. 

There is a school of thought that says we create everything that comes to us...good or bad.  I do not believe we "bring on" the bad stuff.  However, when under stress/dark periods...I do recommend in my healing practice many natural modalities to help counteract the dark periods.

For a balanced mind body and soul..the following are just some of things I suggest. The power of prayer, positive thoughts, affirmations, aromatherapy, massage, walking in nature,  speaking with a friend, psychotherapy, sun bathing, gardening, yoga, guided meditations,  tree hugging, vitamin d, herbs. In addition, I would include--to find a creative expression that you truly love--such as writing, playing an instrument, painting/doodling.

By not seeking perfection in the process of creating--- becomes a pure and simple path towards self acceptance.  With this self-acceptance, we are able to look within and sense our hearts beating as our own pure spirit. Then, perhaps,  we may experience the external stresses as just birds flying above--and beyond the present reality of our lives.

May we all experience a new opening into our self-understanding,  as we explore and choose wisely the paths to greater wellness and harmony with one's self.

Kate Lamberg

dreaming in green and pink~ a dream poem (droem)

running in the fields
i stop in my tracks--as i see pink roses growing
in vines among the green pines

i try to pick one rose, from the green stem
and then--an  entire long vine of roses that were wrapped around
the tall green pine trees becomes unraveled

i return to my running
the long trail of rose vines stirring the dirt in my wake
below my feet--an occasional pine needle kicked up in the wind

Kate Lamberg

pine trees at mt. baker~photo by Kate Lamberg

pink roses at portland rose garden~photo by Kate Lamberg

night- still but roaring

"Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood." TS Eliot


the night is still but roaring a fire i cannot extinguish
strains of beethoven expand as wind rises --or does the air
eat the music--no one knows, yet feels a  poetry

about to compose itself--so long it has been sitting
on shadowed damp steps leading to broken cellar doors
so long to shattered glass --even replacing with stainless

makes for a rattle crash, while simply tapping at the door handle
metal always strikes me as colder than wood, however long
the tree had fallen--however long the winter seems to stretch out

in paisley  pajamas--celebrating the right to do nothing- blessings
become orchestrated- feelings swelling--neither being able to fight
back or find another path, we walk back to back down opposite sides

of the mountain--meeting at the base for peace talks lasting the night
and into the morning freshness--birds belong where they wish--never
interfering with what you or i had in mind to message--just more

melons floating down the river--seeds cascading inside the flesh
just waiting for an ample spring morning to plant
and wait some more for nourishment

to feed the masses begins with simple
planning--and then we step
lightly away from expecting

another blessed thing
it's all happening
when we trust

without fully knowing
eyes burning bon fires--furnishing
outdoor palaces to spring up

over night without a fight
we ascend the garnet gates
cedar shakes in still waters

Kate Lamberg
11/30/12

sine qua non

dedicated to the unsinkable soul in all of us


not meaning to place any pressure upon you-
my words become pressed on paper
as hot coffee dripping, as wildflowers lay
in between isinglass for centuries

i am stirred and can do nothing
like coffee in my big green mug
be drunk in by the same mouth
that uttered the words in her sleep

it is the reason we dust mirrors-full well knowing
more dust will come; not a vain search in
the dark woods: what soul purveys
in thoughts, unleashes fruits to guide our days

juice, preserves, compote or stew
thoughts turn to words-birthing poems
as the immediacy of glissade seamlessly
becomes ensemble--in ballet-- salted sea foam

action begun in tired darkness perpetuates
the seaside song dug so deeply the sand oozes
lifetimes of piracy, princes, and princesses
pirate ships made of mahagony to last

more lifetimes than you've figured
into this equation of doubtless floating
waters shine a pristine unsinkable trust
still painted in flaked gold along the sides

no one is chiding you for your hiding
yet seeing your standing- as tall green  mountain
on the sunlit deck-- pulling that main sail tight
is the cause for my marveling at your glorious light

Kate Lamberg
11/29/12

Kindness..

If with kindly generosity
One merely has the wish to soothe
The aching hearts of other beings,
Such merit has no bounds.
~Kuan Yin

without our trying
we simply practice kindness
worlds of love appear

Kate Lamberg