Blessings

Blessings......

monks' bare feet walking

across the winter landscape

just walking, as meditation, as love,

as compassion, as gift -

to hearts and minds bowed down with grief

at what is becoming of our world.

Right here, right now,

a light skiff of frost on the lawn,
crocuses shivering in the morning chill,

my chair, my computer, my keyboard

seeking the next poem, some hope,

the comfort in a cup of tea......

ordinary things, surrounding us,
ready to serve -

small gifts, to warm the heart,

while, day after day, mile

after mile, the beautiful monks

keep walking along the icy streets.

Today it is colder, so Aloka the dog

is placed in the RV. I hope the monks

have all put on their shoes.

How thin their robes,

how large their journey,

a gift of love and light they give us

with their every measured step.

How emotional, the tears and smiles

with which they are met, by people

hungry for goodness, for kindness,

for peace in a world gone dark.

for my prompt at What's Going On - Blessings

I penned this while the monks were still walking. Their walk ended February 14 when they returned to their home monastery in Texas. Such an emotional return. I was online with them their final week, could not tear myself away. The walk is over. The journey continues. No doubt, there will be more monk poems. Their walk is one of the most impactful events of my life. It spoke to my soul, which has been so hungry - like all of ours - for the beauty and hope they brought.

They say when monks walk, it is a warning, that the world is too out of balance. I was heartened by the tens of thousands of people who gathered to watch them pass, and who joined them in huge numbers at their stopping places, to hear the teachings of Bhikkhu Pannakara. We all fell in love with the little monk dog Aloka who walked with them.

It is sad that the walk has ended. But Bhikkhu promised we will still walk together online. If you are interested, their facebook page is   https://www.facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa

On youtube, there are many beautiful videos of their walk and some beautiful songs have been made into videos. Search for Walk for Peace, Aloka, and Sy Long (for the songs). So inspiring. I cant watch any of it without tears. We carry so much grief these days.