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.

[Chris 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

[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.

[Chris 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.

[Chris 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

[Chris 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

[Chris 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

[Chris Shaw]

You are so kind Betty :)

[Vertigo Cat1111]

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.

[Chris 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

[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 ....

[Chris 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.

[Chris 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.

[Chris 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!

[Chris 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

[Chris 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!

[Chris Shaw]

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

Chris