Chris’ birthday meditations— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
You have to give the things you want.
If you give dishonesty and deceit
then expect it.
Give what you want,
be what you want.
If you are tempted to transgress
your own spiritual convictions
and you think, ‘just this once’
then you risk much. And with each repetition
the danger grows more grave.
For, as your habit grows,
your belief in yourself
as a growing spiritual being
diminishes.
gallagher
3/21/86
– written in SJC on Swallow’s day weekend
when I stayed over for Chris’ birthday.
Archive for the ‘San Juan Capistrano’ Category
1986-03-21 Chris birthday meditations
Friday, March 21st, 19861989-01-04
Wednesday, January 4th, 1989Winter always comes.— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
Dan told Sharon and me about he and Tiffany
and my heart ached for him.
His first love and pain and loss
and I doubt I’ve learned much
20 years on.
Outside, rain and gray skies.
Inside, somewhere, Joan receeds with a slow ache
and Sharon acends.
Softness and steel, enlightenment and caution.
My futures murmuring … ’89 finds me
unfocused and unsettled
falling in love with a moving target.
She calls out the best in me
but, sometimes, I just want her to hold me
and, sometimes, she does.
gallagher
4 jan 89
san juan capistrano
1989-01-06
Friday, January 6th, 1989Buddha says that if we want something,— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
we open ourselves to the possibility of disappointment
and someone else said we get what we need.
All that I know of women and karma and connectivity
is far too simple for she who now stands before me.
Companion, friend, lover, teacher
big challenge …
I cannot dominate her. I cannot lie or hide from her.
I cannot predict her or take her love and openhandedness
for granted.
And yet, she brings, gives, is
everything I want, without barter.
God, my friend, are you laughing there
where chance and destiny are woven?
Nicaragua, indeed entire continents, await.
Wind in their trees and passion on my pages.
She stands in front of me like elevator shafts
and vertigo.
God’s laughter is kind.
gallagher
6 jan 89
san juan capistrano