Water marks time

in rock and sand,

seeking its path

across the land.

Following gravity

in ripples and waves,

water rages in rivers

and pools in caves.

From birth in a raindrop

to death in the sea

water is life

to human and flea.

It comes and goes,

nurturing all in its path,

including the destruction

of its flooding wrath.

The largest wave

in the ocean deep

is the same calm water

of the pond asleep.

Only humans mark time

with water and watch,

while water keeps moving,

no time for a scotch.

Mountain running
around pine, fir,
manzanita.
Stopping atop a ridge
to view, reflect.
Hunting eagle
scans the land
with eagle vision,
rises on some quiet current,
sights man
and veers away
to other territories.
The man runs
along trail
across bridge
above
clear rumbling water
past rusted, empty tin can
and snow flower
shouting triumph
in red.
Deer bolting
like terror
stops man
frightened first,
thoughtful second,
third‑‑
runs on,
encounters lizard
fixing him
with granite
eye.

Great peaks

are climbed

by

hanging

from

unlikely holds

that only fools

and saints

grasp.

A leaf falls,
hits the ground,
turns brown.

A friend dies
of ripe age,
a sage.

A lie chills,
Makes dust
Of trust.

A flower grows
from ground,
no sound.

A lover is
The way,
They say.

Coyote

is always

on the move,

searching,

creating,

perfecting

his love.

Yesterday

Coyote

waited in the forest

for the right moment.

Today

Coyote

walks in the mountains

with a clear spirit.

Tomorrow

Coyote

heads for the ocean

and the source of life.

Take what you need/Plant your seed
Respect the land/Don’t give to greed
Make sure it’s right/Secure it tight
Watch sun rise/Follow your light
Face the fear/Let go each year
Smell the earth/Soothe the tears
Keep hands clean/Don’t be mean
Touch a leper/Stay lean
Don’t just labor/Help your neighbor
Climb that mountain/Hone your razor
Be your word/Remember the Kurd
Keep your soul/Watch the birds
Walk the talk/Talk the walk
Don’t waste/Be a rock
Learn your song/Pass it on
Meditate/Don’t go along
Help them mend/Know the blend
See the stars/Make a friend
Learn to trust/Don’t go bust
Acquire wisdom/Remove the rust
Start anew/Build a canoe
Be generous/Forgive the shrew
Fast a day/Find the way
Pay attention/Don’t stray
Follow the heart/No man apart
Listen the wind/Make it start
Lend your arm/Sound the alarm
Eat well/Shun harm
Relax your mind/Be kind
Swim the river/Don’t be blind
Work enough/Stay tough
Clean windows/Don’t play rough
Catch a thief/Don’t eat beef
Ponder justice/Comfort grief
Take your time/Walk the line
Be faithful/Read signs
Use discretion/No obsession
Be thorough/Ask the question
Stay in touch/Don’t take too much
Read Ed Abbey/Cast off your crutch
Find your place/Cleanse your space
Ban the bomb/Accept all grace
Fix the mess/Use less
Sail the seas/Try gentleness
Find the wild/Guide the child
Speak your mind/Don’t be mild
Listen well/Survive hell
Drop old baggage/Ring the bell
Earn your way/Learn to pray
Sleep the night/Seize the day