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

[John the Baptist]

It sounds as though you have developed your own meditation method here. Of course, there is no way to control the weather, but the elements of meditation are there. The frantic surface mind is calmed by the sound of the chimes, the eyes close and a deep breath imposes a stillness of the mind. The imagination creates a peaceful scene, and all concerns of the conscious mind are gone. If you can do this for 20 minutes at a time every day, your stress level will plummet.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

I find it easy to meditate in the outdoors particularly when the weather is at its best. I need a bit more practice at other times, but know full well the benefits that can be had. Try harder she sats. Thank you John akwats fir your visits and your wisdom. They are appreciated.

Chris

[Melinda McQueen]

I enjoyed this read. It took me some place nice.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Melinda. I appreciate your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Dave's TK Little Skin]

I try and write as best that I can. Frequently. I do it all the time.

You're a much better writer than I am. You just, do it better than me.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Dave. I am pleased you appreciate my efforts. I have to work at it. It isn't easy. All the best.

Chris

[Dreamer Sima]

What a serene decorative scene you have created here. Soothing tune of wind chimes and closed eye can take us another place, another level... Where only peace prevails! Musicality is heaven and wind chimes are perfect in this regard. Reading your beautiful poem I swayed my wind chimes attached to hallhallway to hear it's soothing tune. . . Thank you for sharing

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you dear Sima. Wind chimes are soothing and calming, particularly the bamboo kind, full of Eastern promise. A little bit of meditation goes a long way especially in the challenging times we find ourselves in. An imagination helps too. Have a lovely day my young friend.

Chris

[Dreamer Sima]

Wish you a beautiful day ahead... 🌺🌻

[Christine Anne Shaw]

You too dear poet :)

[Robert Trakofler]

I love the sounds of wind chimes I have a bamboo stork hanging right outside my window next to my writing desk:) what a pleasant melody you painted in these words I can see your holiday hair flying with the breeze!

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Bunny so much. I have just this minute paid you a visit too. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[red93]

Nice one Chris and good to see / hear you are getting with the Far East influences - they certainly have a lot to teach the West.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you red93. You are certainly right about Eastern influences. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All good things :)

Chris

[mattavelli]

Hello, Christine! :)
Reading this was like a vacation. I felt some stillness. I could hear the hollow bamboo; they don't clang like metal chimes I usually hear. Thanks for sharing.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

I thank you for checking in mattavelli. Pleased I was able to offer you a few moments of vacation. All the best to you.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

mmmmmm i also have bamboo chimes out over the deck .. V7 L1&2 especially puts me in your meditative moment ...love the "..holiday hair" ;)))))))))))))))))
E.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Thank you Mr E. I just love the sound of those bamboo chimes on the deck. Seems you do too.. This morning it is breezy, so they are playing nicely. Have a good day.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

yes i do .. i need to get mine back up as they are in the workshop for a bit of renewing .. strings are frayed and bamboo has a film of green pollen ..it coats everything around here twice a year. i find them very comforting

[Christine Anne Shaw]

We have birch catkins at the moment depositing pollen and making us all sneeze. Yes the bamboo chimes are comforting. I love that hollow sound as they knock gently together. I think yours are well worth repairing :)

[Einstein Noodle]

oh yes ..they are getting tender loving care and repair :)

[Betty Hermelee]

I love the way you chose Bali to describe peace, green, fresh air, mountains, gong music, hand made wood chimes which play melodies that put you in a trance-like state. Your poem is that peaceful and calming, with not a care in the world. Bali is my favorite place in the world, everything about it is curative, friendly, welcoming, cultural, and on and on.....it's bringing back joyful memories....
Thank you so much for sharing.
Best, B

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Dear Betty, pleased I wS able to remind you of a special place. Thank you so much for checking in. Have a great day.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

It’s very special and so was your poem!
Best alway, Betty

[Christine Anne Shaw]

You are so kind Betty :)

[Colacat]

This feels like such a wonderful, peaceful, and sleepy flight, and I love that about this! A tone I rarely see poems take up and you made it work so, so well. It's so peaceful and though we can't be on vacation, you show us to appreciate our mind too, because it can take us anywhere, and so can your poetry.

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Dear Colacat, thank you for your encouraging response. You are most appreciated and I am so pleased you enjoyed this poem. All the best.

Chris