Autumn Morning at Greyhavens

The Barn Watches

Window Ablaze

Southwest 1

Southwest 2

Green, with variations of Grey(havens)

Barn Burning

This is one of those wonderful fall days, with drizzle in the air, the wind from the south, laden with the smell of salt and the far-off tropics. On the verandah it is like being on the bridge of a ship in a gale, plowing through a seascape of pines, hills, roads, and grasses.

Greyhavens Morning: October 9, 2008

Tai Torii: Harmony Spirit Gate

Father and Son

Oh I know that I provided 
the mandatory basics:
food, clothing, shelter.
But it goes beyond that:
it’s about the wonder
of observing development,
watching the dawn
of understanding.
And feeling your delight and joy,
aching with your pain, 
and waiting with your anger:
about trying to give
some small insight
into me,
so that you could, knowing me,
recognise more of you.
And keeping a constant supply
of love for you,
stressing its vital importance
in life.

But we never played sports,
(I was not that kind of dad)
and I fear that I neglected
to give you choice.
We never spent close time together,
(you were as solitary as I)
and I feel we missed something
that we were too privately busy
to find together.
And, in asking what you thought,
I listened, but never really heard,
the marvel that is you.

You were older than I thought
in your life,
and,
now that you have grown,
I find myself searching
for your lost youth.
And wondering if the pain 
of our separation
will ever fade.

Brahman’s Blossom

If I have made
my mark on you, my child,
and instilled within your heart
any of that brave stuff
which is my essence,
   I have done that which I was placed
   in this time to do.

If one seed has been planted
that blossoms into knowledge
it took so long to glean;
one kernel of eternal Truth
that arrived in me so late,
   my long fallow has ended,
   and my stewardship is done.

If eternity approaches
and I return my Brahman spark,
leaving some small word
that I have spoken
to flourish in your life,
   then that Spark will glow brighter
   for having sheltered within you.

An Irish Heart

Fair Erin’s shore calls loudly
to her children far away
whose families had to leave her
to keep starving death at bay.

Her siren songs still call us
across these many years:
the echo of the uillean pipes
still brings forth heartfelt tears.

The ballads, myths, and legends,
are taught to us from birth:
the poets, heroes, kings, and knaves
prove well seanachie’s worth.

Though we may not be with her,
we’ve been too long apart,
we’ll always have her with us
within an Irish heart.

     —Seamus OFionnain

A Time To Say Goodbye

To each of us
there comes a time
when an action
becomes right:
   a time of birth,
   a time of death,
   of sadness, or delight.

The clarion call
to fall in love,
the urge
to change direction:
   a time for each choice
   to be made
   as we strive for perfection.

For me
the hardest time
of all,
no matter how I try,
   is when the clock is still,
   and it
   is time to say goodbye.

A Day Never Passes

A day never passes
without I contemplate
another wondrous facet
of our love.

I never look upon you
without that sense of joy
you awaken
in my heart.

Your love is a beacon:
the candle in the window
that lights
my way home.