Skadhi,
a beautiful cat
magnificent coat
of thick white fur
with large black spots
(I use to call her
our cow cat)
one ear black
one ear white
one eye green
one eye blue
both set in golden brightness...
a loving being
bright
aware
ever-curious...

named after a Norse Giant Goddess
one who,
like our dear familiar,
is strong
loving
proud
independent
loyal
courageous,
admired by the Gods...

our sensitive Skadhi cat
always present
during mystical moments...

our fierce and loyal
guardian cat
who would hiss
and glare
fearlessly
at "intruders"
coming to feed her
when we were away...

today is her final day
in this physical form
in which
we have have been so honoured
to know her
to hold her
to stroke her soft fur...

sweet Skadhi,
you have stood strong and brave
against the rising pain
within,
but you need struggle
no more...

rest now
in soft peace,
and know the love
of your family
who cherishes you
and will miss you
and will always remember you
proud
beautiful
Goddess

I love you so

snap dragons

snap dragons

lessons lessons everywhere--so hard to stop
learning
for we're ever new
babies first breath
we forget
the wonder
without judgement
and long to return
to the innocence
that never was
that is eternal
let "others'" jealousies
and fear and pride
roll off you like
cleansing tears

raindrops of sentiment
"there were chestnuts falling out of the sky.
mom, they really were!"
"bread awesome butter"
"I want to teach my mom snap dragons!"
"dragon snap, dragon snap"
"snap dragon, butter too"
words get lost as two children's voices
merge into one
"...a tree!"

"will you listen? will you learn..."
I love my babies
I just can't keep up with them
dividingattention...
"my teacher is on my back,"
he insists;
they'll do everything to get my attention,
acknowledgement--
my god
I've just had a Naruto-related epiphany

Letter to my children:

I am constantly aware of you
at some level

when I am in the same room
I hear it all
I love to watch you
to listen to you...but I am so distracted
so much of the time...I spent so much of my life
alone
thinking
thinking
thinking...

that is
who "I" is,
the "thinker"
yet "I" is an illusion
ever shifting into
ever changing
ever creating
with continuity
from our
connection
with our
memories
of who we we have been
in the previous
moments
ever now you are
feelings
waves
energizing, fueling
the changes...

hence, the dilemma:
how do I capture
that divine gaze
of mother's love?
strive for the places where her attention lies
get good at the things she admires
so she will admire you
so you'll truly engage her attention

love motivates
change
is
life

Clever T-Rex

I've added my text to a blank (pics only) template for Ryan North's Dinosaur Comics. Hope this is legible.