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Peace, like gently flowing water,
From the well of being rises;
Priceless is its tranquil blessing,
Far surpassing all devices.
Soothing essence smoothly present
Born of knowing life’s true meaning
Lends a certainty transcendent,
Free of need or mental scheming.
Natural then the calm surrender
On this journey never ending;
Revelations here and yonder
Evermore to be enlightening.
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I'd offer you some water
Or fodder if you'd rather,
Create a cozy welcome
In this my humble kingdom.
Though lacking presents lavish,
My presence is not raffish;
Instead it seeks the gracious
To share in friendship cautious.
So join me in these moments
Of tentative shy comments.
Let love and hope in common
Our certain kinship summon.
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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The humble sweet potato biscuit
Evokes a heavenly joy
To match the hellish heat of oven
Its baking doth employ.
The toasty scents ahead are floating
To tantalize with cheer,
Foretell the fluffy feel and fullness
Each rising dome will bear;
As well the gentle tang and sweetness,
Delightful to the taste,
All conjured up, this combination,
From buttermilk and paste.
At last the oven door is open,
And there the darlings glow;
A cookie sheet with baker's dozen;
It causeth one to crow.
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They sail along, like jeweled boats,
On gently rocking waves,
A fleet to treat all watching eyes,
That scan the pond for faves.
This stately line of feathered kind
A silent mystery streams
As grace and beauty on parade
Surpass the best of dreams.
Abundant though the Canada Geese,
A special charm they bear;
The whitish scarf tied high and proud
Is flag to life we share.
While countries sit in boundaries drawn
Of places and their names,
These birds remind a greater truth:
Pervasive soul remains.
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Apparently, the correct usage of neither nor and either or can be tricky in some cases, and applying the rule of having the verb match the closest noun may feel uncomfortable. Here’s another way of thinking about it, bearing in mind that the exception proves the rule.
When "either or" and "neither nor”
Meet subjects who implore,
The second subject through the door
Is given favor more.
“Since Jack and Jill live near the hill,
They climb together still;
But neither Jack nor friends of Jill
Are sure that she is real.”
“If either they or he inquires,
Proceed as if through briars,
For neither you nor Jill aspires
To swell the ranks of liars.”
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Like flattened orbs of perfect orange,
They sit atop a platter,
With skirted stems beneath and hidden,
As smooth as globes of butter.
Of tempting size for hands that pocket,
They charm us all to sample,
Delight in flesh divinely flavored,
With tastes of heaven ample.
Persimmons there so very favored
Have non-astringent nature.
Their type is Fuyu, ever beauteous;
Great appetites they cater.
In various forms of fair consumption,
From freshly crisp to softened
Or leathery dried or semi-frozen,
These fruit have much enlivened.
So now we raise a toast in honor
And cheer the merry berry,
Persimmon wine on this occasion
Outshining any sherry.
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The music of the universe
Is played by hands unseen,
And rather than for ears to hear
Is felt by souls most keen.
Suspend the senses one by one;
Be confident in heart;
Then breathe as if to life inhale,
From naught to stay apart.
The quiet tells of peacefulness,
Melodious in its truth;
The stillness and sedated sight,
Of harmony to soothe.
To live in tune, to resonate,
Allow yourself to flow;
The music of the universe
Has meaning you will know.
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The spirit lifts in gratitude
With every step outside;
The heart expands in harmony,
With breaths now deep and wide.
The eyes alight on every sight,
With views reflecting will.
Olfactory senses come online,
And ears responsive thrill.
With each advance, the pulse of Earth
Reminds of greater life,
And gentle breezes rush to tease
With tastes of nature rife.
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An energy being etched in sentience,
I sail a sea of consciousness
Resolved to know of separation
Though foreign to my soulfulness.
Before and after split the present
Where previously was only now;
And here and there suggest a distance,
An edge of presence to avow.
Created thus a sense of other,
This self-affirming program runs,
The oneness hidden, all forgotten,
Displaced by limits—chosen ones.
What's “other” then may soon be taken
To leave bereft, with sense of loss;
And thus is born the fear that rules us,
With thoughts of lack to reinforce.
A sketch arises with experience,
Identified mistakenly
As being self by act and senses,
Illusion clothed in density.
But briefly comes miraculous knowing
That supersedes all time and space;
Awareness like eternal substance
At frequency of perfect grace.
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It's crisply cold and “snowish,”
A Christmas Day to relish;
Our hearts are full of wishes,
And pockets carry tissues.
With misty breaths that lead us,
We glide through icy meadows
Expectantly and open
For every marvelous token.
Ahead are trees that beckon
And shrubs that seek a mention,
Their splendor merely granted
But now on this day vaunted.
Our joy is overwhelming,
Tears welling, overflowing;
We say it's windy watering
And turn to tissue touting.