Ode to The Evolving Cosmos Comic

I enjoy reading comics on the GoComics.com website. While seeing this Sunny Street strip on May 06, 2013 I felt inspired to write a poem in the comments section. Click on the image to visit the original posting and to see the full size image.

Here's the poem...

For you cosmos
from which all flows
let us compose
not in prose
but with juxtapose
photos with van goghs
great beauty flows
from he who knows
divinity’s under his nose
I don’t suppose
man ever outgrows
the highs and lows
while life’s wind blows
to all I propose
that time will expose
the illusion of foes
and oneness of all those
that are in life’s throes

Dante is Daunting

I say, reading Dante is a bit daunting,
though no longer in native tongue,
the great Comedy remains haunting.

Many weeks will be spent reading,
entranced in the beauty and grace,
it urges one's soul to sing.

Though just beginning, I already sense
that words are just words,
and of value is the primal essence.

The message is timeless and true,
turning from vice, and toward virtue,
transcending inner hell are the few.

Clinging to beliefs and desires,
ruled by the mind and rarely the heart,
chasing illusions till the body expires.

Experiencing within, feelings of all sorts:
Of inferno, purgatorio or paradiso,
whatever it be, the mind distorts.

"Leave the mind behind" say the wise,
and with this I must agree.
Stay true to the heart and thou shall rise.

The heart thinks too, but not with words,
it just knows, innately, intuitively and always.
Adopting love and peace has many rewards.

When pushing on and reaching towards
a heart of perfect wisdom,
just know that your heart is the Lord's.

For years now I have been led,
and thanks to the graceful Lord in my heart
there are few illusions left to shed.

I know Dante's message before it's all read,
far from my first spiritual book,
I've almost lost my head.

Christianity, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen:
There remains little I haven't read.
Love & truth are universal, Amen.

Inspired by

The Divine Comedy, Translated by John Ciardi

Tao Te Celery

Celery is my friend
Healthy and low in calories
I could eat it to no end
Provides loads of cellular energy

Some like it with cheez whiz
Some with processed PB
Not so healthy this is
And so it's not for me

Perhaps if it were organic cheese
And without plastic trans fats
It would do more to please
Thanks, but I'll take it without formats

Some don't care about health
Controlled by their senses they are
Searching for external happiness and wealth
They believe it's afar

But if they would just look within
And realize happiness is a choice
Only then they might begin
To renounce and rejoice

Proper nutrition is food for the brain
Mentally and emotionally balanced I become
From the negatives I will abstain
All-knowingness and profound peace are awesome

Never before has one written a poem
Beauty and grace just flows
Closer and closer comes saintdom
For that's what I chose

Most focus on the "me"
Instead of the All
So inner turmoil there will be
This is man's fall

One can only help others
To the level they improve themselves
This celery not only feeds my hungers
It provides wellness for all yourselves