Morning unfolds, gently touching
my numbed wings by the chill, windy night,
encouraging me to go outside to the sunlight

I crawl out the refuge to sunbathe,
unaware of the imminent danger of
becoming a prey of a black bird
then the usual lady came to rescue me
Thankful but I drag myself away

My wings begin to regain strength
when suddenly it showered on me
she jerks the garden hose
It’s you again, butterfly!
Lovingly she stares at me

I then see my ex-lover flies by,
looking gorgeous as ever
I hurry after her, hoping we get together again,
without getting shot down by the garden-hose-rain,
for unpredictable and jealous is the lady’s mind

*

Observing this butterfly reminds me that humans and animals, including insects, share
similarity in many aspects of life.  Buddhists believe in reincarnation after death; we reincarnate in any forms:  birds, animals, etc.  They chase pesky insects away, instead of killing, using smoke or scent.  It’s good to know that despite the mass killings committed
by certain groups nowadays, respect for life is still alive and well not only by religious groups but also good people in general.

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Byung A. Fallgren’s Blog.)

My wings are vulnerable to the cold wind
as my heart bleeds for the estranged lover
The only strength in me is butterfly instinct
that guides me in the wind

I live by the rule of Nature,
enjoy being me, my ability
as the shrubs grow, loving sun
with joy of providing the shelter
to the weary one

It’s getting dark and the wind
bellows in the juniper,
me clinging onto the leaf for my life,
amazed by the sudden change
as if our separation isn’t enough a pain

I fear the long night, predators,
the lady with a camera

After the windy night
will come the warm morning light

When my wings warm again
I’ll fly to her, my dream; it won’t be vain

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Byung A. Fallgren’s Blog.)

As we walk along the trail of time
our past disappear behind the knoll
of oblivion, yet reminders are everywhere
in the pebbles along sides of the road
in the silent waves of black eye Suzan
and reticent hills
We try to ignore them, getting busy
with our routine lives, yet at night

they sneak into our closed eyes,
demanding to resolve what’s in doubt
They vanish into the morning light of
wisdom, letting us flow with time,
appreciating what we have rather than
brooding over what we lost
Passion also dwindles with spring butterflies
and withering petals, leaving the past behind,
still, healthy enthusiasm remains

our paces become lighter and surefooted
from here to the end of the trail of our time

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Byung A. Fallgren’s Blog.)

Fruitless days
wither the spirit as
toxic fume to the lung
At the edge sudden
wisdom sparks

*

There is only one success…to be able to spend your life in your way,
and not to give others absurd maddening claim upon it.

–Christopher Morley

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Byung A. Fallgren’s Blog.)

she’s trapped in
the jealous lover’s
frozen breath
and waits for him
warm up
Or
maybe she’s reluctant to
renew herself in fear
what the outcome
will be like

*

HER FIRST VISIT

Like a little savior she came,
filling my heart with love
Her baby-cry as if we were total strangers
wouldn’t let me hold her even a moment
I laughed, for she’ll grow out of it,
yet tried all the trick to win her smile, to no avail
The day she left with Mama and Daddy,
filling the house with emptiness
I counted for her next visit,
looking around the room,
reminiscing about her short stay,
found the little bear and rattler she left
behind–the baby scented memento!

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Byung A. Fallgren’s Blog)

When lost just

picture the darling

and go forward

is often better than

giving up altogether

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Byungafallgren.com.)

Smoldering
mist of memory
creeps in
the wintry land
for the lost soul
hidden beneath
the silent earth,
digging until
the knuckles bleed
and the crystals of
grief suspended in
the halting
sunlight
*

This is written in remembrance of a missing woman in our community.  Her children and many friends loved her.  She was a respected businesswoman also.  It’s been over a year since her disappearance.  The winter weather has hampered the search effort.  Spring is here.  Wish them the best for their search effort.

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Byung A. Fallgren.wordpress.com.)

In the quiet corner
every sound seem amplified,
the whispers of the juniper branches,
cries of the peacocks beyond the pasture,
see more than a normal eye can see,
among the alfalfa lies an injured doe, frightened
Owl perceives, crystallizes the insight into a wisdom,

amused when a couple of robins dared to build their nest
at his heel, horrified when a female owl flew over one night,
checked him out, noticed his falseness and
gobbled up the poor hatchlings instead

He shudders, knowing he would be like her, had he been
able to breath–a vice of life–although a part of him wishes
to be her mate, perfection isn’t meant to be

Owl woodpecker-watcher and the beholder merge in
one spirit for the stilly moment in the absence of pain,
anxiety, desire but peaceful presence, find
the momentary nirvana-like

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Byung A. Fallgren.wordpress.com.)