Depth to the depth

When shallow I’m hollow

A breath in and out

Time moves and I follow

Then in the West

We call out Apollo

His best must be left

In grooves that we follow

Daybreak has all of the plans

At night dreams start all over again

Lighting the way everyday

A test to the test

In fire I wallow

A splash of wisdom

A dash of defiance

I aim to be close to

Established compliance

I can’t complain

but we do need change

To challenge the system

And set a new stage

So today

I buck his-tor-y

Mine and the world’s

Try to redesign meaning

Of words we’ve unfurled

Bright ideas, dark days

My optimism is pure

Work and believing

Confess to the rest

When shallow we’re hollow

A breath in and out

Success proves how to follow

Guessed to be best

The world shouts a loud call-out

The rest must be blessed

In grooves that we follow

Daybreak has all of the plans

At night dreams start all over again

At the height of day

I work and pray

Success at the test

In fire I wallow

Smoke is rising

Flames are twisting

I waver like a leaf in the heated breeze

No surprise

I’m resisting

To get past pain and find progress beneath

Our future is uncertain

and alternates positions

Staying strong in only one:

A stem of

Cool and calm visions

I got raised by the sunshine,

What I complain about

ain’t the same to me anymore,

Got cloudy days that must suffice,

What they say is right

might not be the same to me tomorrow,

Live today and love the moment

Soak in sunshine as it cures you,

Live today and love the moment

Soak in sunshine as it guides you,

Then hit the heights as the tension mounts,

The desert days are high and dry,

It may be cold at night

but hot as hell for me tomorrow,

The winter rains are cold as ice,

But the fire inside

Will be the same to me forever more,

Live today and sense the changes

Feel the pain and then stop the pounding,

Live today and sense the changes

Taste the rain as it soaks and bounces,

Live today and work for progress

Then hit the heights as the tension mounts,

Make the most of life:

Always

The sun rises,

One time to burn

One time to heal

One time to learn

One time to feel

Make your move when it counts

Embrace the moment while the tension mounts

Pathways

Ever-present desire to succeed and challenge,

Fragments of time hang on the nervous door hinge,

In the skies there is a fiery orange,

In the brain, in the mood, in the path,

*

Consequential change of the integrated feeling,

Brings a far-fetched mood that sends me reeling,

Enduring trance set by the cosmic dealing,

Just from proof, of a move, in the path,

*

In the rising travel to find what dreams yield,

Synchronicity is uplifting, (a plain thing)

In the vast expanse of this energy field,

The ground is ever-shifting:

*

Shifting shapes in the rain, rising up to the sky,

Misty memory reflects all that you think,

And I think if I fall I will surely:

Dive deeper, into this massive mental landscape,

.*

Border dreams, real as rock, where’s the path?

Gridlock,

Shaking heads, shaking thoughts,

Can’t get through, Gridlock

*

Saturate the idol with a figment of power,

And you will find a fate-changing flower,

Iridescent lights in the sixty-watt shower,

Creating strength, in the groove, in the path,

*

Confirmation of an intriguing notion,

Visions that lure an unreal emotion,

Diligent work spent on devotion,

Such a waste, fail to cross, to a new path,

*

In minute thoughts we process and explore,

Infinite possibilities passing,

With immaculate balance I reach for the door,

But still I find myself grasping:

*

Grasping leaves as I run, as fast as I am free,

Factual forest, reflects all that you think,

And I think if I fall I will surely

Dive deeper, into these firmly grounded beliefs,

*

Waking dreams, real as rock, there’s the path: Gridlock,

Shaking hands – shake in shock,

Must get through: Gridlock,

Peace of mind from lucid talk,

Flowing through,

Gridlock

Delve deep into the sunrise,

Not far from now the night dies,

Suppressing nothing the mind finds,

And yesterday falls behind,

Stretching out into memories,

Archived for the next day I need,

Or ever more:

The sunshine’s freed,

Delicious day,

Desirable,

Divine,

And only for a few moments it might unwind,

The seconds when I’m uncertain in time,

An anxious moment, and I’m dead in my tracks,

Without you, I’m dead in my tracks,

Diving down into a frown, I fall all the way down,

Without your light, or dreams at night,

I can’t get around and I’m dead in my tracks,

Confidence returns, when I face the facts,

Anxiety fades, and good health comes back,

Peace of mind comes from love of life,

I learn to relax,

I breathe through the mountains and their forest trees,

I peer through the skies and feel through the seas,

I clamber through the attic built up in my mind,

And run electrical wire through visions that I find,

Coursing through my brains are my future plans,

In my pounding heart, my love of life sure stands,

Even though I feel humble, I still sweat certain pride,

I buzz with energy, that I can never hide,

Somewhat off or simple, this demeanor might seem,

All I really want is human harmony to stream,

If we find fairness in the rivers, instead of social stress,

We can climb the banks, and leave this muddy mess,

Chip away at brilliance, find knowledge on the run,

Rise through the valleys, reach into the sun,

Pull down meaningful faith, and media to trust,

Equality on the earth, and peace that is robust,

Voice like a volcano, the internet explodes,

Sometimes my screen glows happily, sometimes woe it bodes,

Silent snow-capped peaks in the dead of summer,

Yet fiery flames spewing, if winter has your number,

Identity comes from how we live and learn,

If our resolution is a rock, it will never burn,

For our hard world to survive, we must pool all our forces,

To protect all good lives, we must fairly share resources,

Confidence in peace can get us through each day,

Optimism flows when we climb up all the way,

Get past setbacks, escape the traps we trip,

When we endure, we find the cure, our faith sharp as a whip,

Be true to all we love, forge strength to do what’s right,

Don’t get lost in dreams, past the edge of night,

Got to dig the sunrise, have hope and trust ourselves,

With a confident outlook, our progress deeper delves

Awareness of Nature:  Camping in British Columbia – To Get Away

***

Work and stress can give life a frantic feel,

The fever and fret may seem way too real,

I look up to clouds, with my breath falling,

The wind is whistling, weekend-off calling,

Rain burst slants sideways, person’s proud chest sags,

I run above ground, home to pack my bags,

It’s all been planned out – we leave right at five,

We deserve this chance, want to feel alive,

More than a robot, an ordered machine,

This free soul living, a sentient being,

So many days torn, between now and then,

When I get away, won’t get trapped again,

Slowly we pull free from the parking stall,

And we won’t look back, all we need – we haul,

We are on our way, up into the hills,

To camp in the wild, Canadian thrills,

***

Cool cascading falls, rock’s ages shaped sheer,

Trees towering tall, cradle all life here,

Down way far below, on the forest floor,

Miracles abound, a dream scene and much more,

Mossy stumps and ferns, mushrooms hide tree sprites,

Creatures crawl from logs, cold clear creek invites,

Birds sing melodies, both ancient and new,

Grace us for moments, then gone as on cue,

Stunning green playing-field, setting so divine,

True breath of fresh air, no hotel is as fine,

The carpet – softer, on this floor I stand,

This music – sweeter, than a big town band,

Colours dazzle here – more than neon lights,

More intrigue excites, in these forest nights,

My love and I here, cool kids in their tent,

Now our time is free, and the day has been spent,

***

Awake to morning, no alarm to face,

No rushing traffic, no daily rat race,

Rainbows shine in dew, on webs, twigs and grass,

Coffee brewed on flame, of the campfire blasts,

Sitting on camp chairs, no straining muscles,

No aloof boss shouts, while our team hustles,

Instead a squirrel chirps, saying that we’re here,

So we share some nuts, over lunch: pop or beer,

As the day heats up, need not sweat it out,

We head to the lake – good times are about,

Before leaving site, we first douse the fire,

We pack some food tight, guitar to inspire,

The sun follows us, a friend – not a master,

Beneath our feet: mulch, helps us hike faster,

But no rush today, no hypocrite’s whip,

We are far from that, on this camping trip,

***

Climbing through branches, brave greens bless my brow,

Beyond that – sparks gold, lake shining bright now,

Clear to the bottom, aqua shades in glass,

Sand-shores diving deep, mountains sink far past,

Glaciers chiseled time, eons made this place,

This instant is pure, as today keeps pace,

Trees border the lake, hot sun gives this life,

Still: clouds, moon, and stars, fetch glory from strife,

In this fine daytime, greatness comes from love,

All part of nature, some comes from above,

The robin-egg blue, or black with white light,

The feeling we have, can come day or night,

Cool, smooth and flowing, not out on a limb,

We splash down today, get in for a swim,

Floating, paddling, immersed in a dream,

Carried back to camp, by the last sun beam,

***

Final night we pack by crackling fire,

Telling tall stories, as flames twist higher,

An owl reminds us, we are not alone,

Within these late moments, we’ll never go home,

Impression that lasts, we laugh, feast and drink,

Echoing voices, in nature we think,

The crickets and frogs, seem to always know,

Just when we arrive, and when we will go,

Join with their wisdom, their sound mixed with ours,

To keep it simple, here under the stars,

Aware of presence, with no lasting stress,

Just singing again, true needs and no less,

But really we too, feel complex footsteps,

Out in the forest, this reflex is kept,

Sacred harmony, so surely time tells,

True tests of nature, there is nothing else

By Mike Scott 09/15

Painting by Lee Matuga

Absolute Madness (2012)

The earth is quaking, waking – you’re faking passion until you make your next dollar,

Don’t delete the last note written in amassed gold, that must be as pure as the finest icy waters,

Your worth is estimated, the trap is baited – Some time unravels until the next catch is made,

You play it so fast – It lasts, with no disregard for the social relevance,

Born hypocrite, slow fits are taking over my persistence in sincere elements,

Can’t stop the battle, it rattles and the echoes could drive you insane,

Where you travel never was:

Forgotten in emotion,

You’ve found a new mood, a goal too,

Nothing will ever be the same,

~

There is a good route, its absolute,

It could be like it never was,

Found where you never traveled:

Now you’re lost in emotion,

Nothing will ever be the same,

Or will it?

The beast is waiting, baiting, no gate for the equine – you could be on the next course,

Growing your wings fast, you will soon sing past the forgiven time when you had to do all their chores,

The feasting is tasty, in the sky a pastry, there’s absolutely no reason not to sink through the clouds,

Wash your plate clean, fate seen – mop the mess you have made with the shirt off your back,

Do not leave a new stain, or be seen in pain, wipe up traces of your ungodly red dirt fast,

You are only mortal, there is the portal – you will feel better if you learn to forget

Or will you?

The god is tidy the shore is hiding, underneath the majestic moon way above,

The love has a pride and the mood is riding, you are aware your friends have not yet been late,

If you should ever fall, just recall: it’s the absolute madness that we have all made

You won’t know what you’ve got until you get inside,

No, you won’t know a thing until you’ve been and tried,

Wake up into our eternal home,

We’re on our own, but not alone,

You won’t know what you’ve got until you get inside,

No, you won’t know a thing until you’ve been and tried,

Wake up into the great unknown,

Thoughts are the wealth, found all alone,

Eyes looking at me like they know something,

Looking at me with some kind of offering,

Wise and kind guide may take your hand,

Present a solution, save all of this land,

Conceive it, if you can,

Believe in, a master plan,

Conceive it, it has all been planned,

Understand,

Look to the skies above, the clouds are boiling,

If God’s looking down, why are we still toiling?

Wake up into our eternal home,

Into this place we all are thrown,

The fair earth is below and the weather’s rising,

We need rest, it is so compromising,

Walking through thoughts made of stone,

The energy within us, seldom shown,

You’re looking at me as if I’m insane,

You can’t be right, and I can’t explain,

Try hard, real hard, to figure things out,

Feelings bottle up, think away doubt,

(A little spirit)

What are you looking for?

Find it right outside your mind’s back door,

What are you looking for?

Find it right outside my mind’s back door,

The fair earth is below, media hypnotizing,

We crave the sun, it’s not surprising,

Walking through thought, we must atone,

The energy within us waits to be shown . . .

Follow inside into insight

I want to emphasize a point in maintaining optimism and not falling into despair. Part of this is about learning to harness the power of the future, and of possible future joy. As I mentioned, joy may be extremely rare, coming up – once in a blue moon… but this is all in perspective. Joy can be as simple as a conversation with a friend or a feeling of peace in art or beauty. It is often necessary to endure situations until we get to the next contented moment, and find that next joy. In some cases mindfulness may be best set on the future, with reminders from the past of what is good, and what we can expect. I pray that we all have something, however simple and temporary that we can look forward to: a drink to quench our thirst, a vision to behold, or the conversation of a friend or family to look forward to. Even our own creativity and thought can help keep us find content. It is important to persevere till we get to that moment. Enjoy the present, but if that is not possible, there is still something ahead that makes endurance worth waiting for.

The following poem was written in the mid to late nineties. My recent conversation brings me back to it.

Days

Got to choose your next move,
Got to do what you think
Is really going to make a difference,
In your little world,

Plush carpets and amber lights,
A ride that’s free in many ways,
Cushions on a couch save me,
Living hell for many days,
Long days,
How did I pass my time today,

Hard cold floors and bright lights,
My mind is cool most always.
Patterns on the walls they change,
In never-ending hallways,
Fall days,
How can I pass my time this way?
Anyways,

I’m climbing through. I’m climbing out,
It’s only me, just with everything else,
My soul within everything else,

Got to groove as you proceed,
Got to do what you think
Is really going to take you all the way,
To the next contented moment,

Tight with my fretful friend,
Fingers dance on steel to play,
Notes will tell the mood of life,
Come back for another day,
Any day,
How can we pass our time today?

Sitting on groves of green grass,
Trying to cure the grey day,
My blood thirst for red wine,
Just to pass the night away,
Far away,
How did I pass my time today?

Climbing free, climbing out,
It’s just me, with everyone else,
We’re so close to climbing out,
It is only work, forget everything else,
The soul without everything else,

Change of pace and growing old,
Forget about the distant days,
Still need to understand the soul,
And have something good to say,
Every day,
How did you pass your time today?

Finally free, finally out,
The soul is one and everything else,

Finally free, finally out,
The soul is one just with everything else!

***

The conclusion is a bit finite, but I really feel that it is whole. You need to have something good to say about every day: My couch was comfortable, patterns on the wall were interesting, and in my case, I played guitar. I recommend hobbies and mindfulness in simple pleasure that one can draw on in times when it is difficult to easily endure. It is important to be aware of potential joy as we are experiencing it. It is also necessary in times of stress, as a means of coping: to remember that there are always other moments to look forward to, sometimes just by looking inside.