Be Quiet

There was a time many years ago that I was reading A Gradual Awakening, by Stephen Levine. I loved the idea of trying to stop that gnat-like voice in my head and just be in the moment. Try it, it’s not an easy thing to do. I’m not even sure it’s possible, completely.

But what I learned was that through trying to accomplish this, I found that there was a new level of awareness. This particular awareness only happened to me once but I’ll never forget it.

I was alone, waiting for a customer to come in to my mother’s ice cream store. I was sitting in a director’s chair reading this book and putting myself into this other level of consciousness.

Three women came in talking and laughing, paying no attention to me, and I felt like I almost floated over to the counter. All of a sudden one of the women slowly turned to face me and our eyes locked. She recognized me, saw me, and connected with me, though we had never seen each other before. I can’t say anything else about it except that she got it. A word never passed between us. She smiled and nodded.

It was a wonderfully, weird experience.

All that being said, when I saw Dan’s picture on Pictures, Poetry, & Prose of the lighted candles, this is what came to mind.

Photo by Dan Felstead

Go outside. Stand still. Be quiet.

Can you feel them?
The wishes, the dreams, and prayers
Wafting in the air around you
Gently lifted on the wings of wind.

Can you hear them?
The cares, the worries, and concerns
Fretting through the branches of trees
Trying to find a way.

Can you see them?
The tears of sadness
Passing you on the street
Dropping like rain.

Can you sense them?
The smiles of the heart
That passes from one to another
Illuminated like the sun.

Can you imagine them?
Thoughts swirling loosely past
In you, through you, and around you
Filling the air with life.