All Things Considered

i do not know

if bamboo wind chimes

ward off evil spirits

maybe they do

.

or whether they entice

souls of the departed

to revisit their loved ones

all things considered

.

but as i sit in this garden

with a light breeze blowing

on a true blue sky day

in blistering heat

i hear music

.

there is something so

satisfying in the gentleness

of that subtle hollow sound

of canes clacking softly

while suspended from a

beam on our deck

.

close your weary lids 

take a long deep breath

be still and hear nature's notes

her unique playful

composing

.

imagine being in Bali

barefoot and fancy free

beside the mountains

far, far away where all

concerns are going, going,

gone

.

wind stirs in strands

of uncombed holiday hair

not a care in the world

drift in thought flight

all is well, all is peace

.

 

 

Reviews

[Pestonjee]

When movement is restrained, the mind can still fly away, to a distant, far off land, to an exotic destination of choice. Indeed, it comes to one almost as an epiphany, a true holiday is in the mind. One could be on a secluded island in the middle of an ocean and yet not at peace. Loved this flight to Bali. Full of nature’s notes and the realisation of life’s great blessings.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thought flight can take you to so many places that you might otherwise not visit. You do need to be in a quiet place and perfectly still in order to travel. The setting was just right that day. I am fond of wind chimes, especially the bamboo sort. Thank you Pestonjee. Always good to see you on my page.

Chris

[Pestonjee]

Its always a pleasure to read you...

[Anushka joshi]

Peace ! ... It's really a short feeling if we talk about really true feeling for peace .... but if we feel our nature our mother earth ... who is indeed the one who keeps us connected ... for instance you and me ma'am .... We really can feel the peace ... the affection and that love with which we are blessed ....
And imagination as you mentioned in your second last stanza ... according to me it's the most powerful weapon of our mind ... In India we used to consider or say a weapon called 'Brahmastra' mentioned in Indian epics as most powerful ... it's somewhat like that ....
I really enjoyed it !! And it's a festival today here 'guru purnima' for expressing our gratitude towards our teachers ....

[Christine Anne Shaw]

I hope you had a wonderful festival day. I thank you for your visit. I learned from you too today. We are connected by our love for nature and all things peaceful. This is a wonderful review. I so enjoyed you checking in. All good wishes.

Chris

[Intothemilkyway]

If only dear Anne, it would be amazing to be that free but other things take part in our life that we are so busy to even have a little vacation to clear our mind.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Just a few moments, you don't need much. But those few minutes can take you to places and give you such a sense of peace. Thank you for your valued visit. So pleased for that.

Chris

[myenigma]

This is wonderful and inspirational. It is poetic pieces yarn together to tell a pleasant story.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you for your visit and thoughtful review. All good wishes.

Chris

[ardentnine]

Reading this made me feel like I was actually there. Good job!

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Hello. Pleased to meet you on my page. Thank you so much for your positive review. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Cassie]

Soaking in nature is very very breathtaking, sometimes I like going to where there is a waterfall and just sit there with my thoughts and i breath in the fresh wet air

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Cassie. Time spent with nature is never wasted. Waterfalls are mesmerising too. So beautiful to look at. Pleased for your visit. Take care.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Hypnotic and just plain, lovely.
Never had a "happy place." Could be, I do now.
Poetry with impact, albeit very soft impact.
Gold star work, Chris!

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Jimmy, you have made my day. Thank you so much.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think they may just ward off evil spirits...I'll buy in...after reading this poem...I want to sit on that porch and listen.
You present it as magic, in magical words.
j.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

So pleased I could convey some of what I experienced. So relaxing and soothing those moments. You can sit in my garden anytime Jacob.

Chris

[Lorry]

I don't know either Chris, but maybe it's like the placebo effect. If you believe they work and keep evil at bay, then it is still beneficial to you as you wont now be worried about evil lurking up behind you now. 😀
And they do sound nice and are way less annoying than glass or metal ones clanking aroung, giving you tinnitus.
And from that sound, you travelled the world and all without airport check ins, baggage claim and finding a taxi that wont take you the long way. A perfect staycation in an afternoon 😀

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Experiencing quite a few stacycations these days Lorry. Not complaining we have spent much time making our garden as pleasant as possible. Nowhere else to go and I'm not going to join the nutters on the beaches who don't care a toss about the consequences. Happy to be here.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

There is indeed something very peaceful and peace inducing in the sound of wind chimes. The backyard of my meditation center has such chimes, and when we do walking meditation, we are soothed by the gentle sounds.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

They are soothing John, pleased you agree. Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts here. Most appreciated. How interesting you have a meditation centre right on your doorstep.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Not quite on my doorstep, Chris. It's about ten miles away, in Norfolk. It's based on the teachings of Thich That Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk. Though I am not a Buddhist myself, I have derived much benefit from attending the sessions there.

[Relic]

This is so much like a meditation to me. The serene peace that transcends is at our feet. Being willing to try it out may, and usually does, bring benefits.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Tha k you Tim. Good to have a visit from you. Hope all is well. Take care.

Chris