Pattern recognition

Pattern recognition

Do you see it?

The pattern?

The whole picture

or a piece

a portion

a sliver

a slice

a thread

Fractals in the ridgeline

that can be misconstrued

when taken out of context

out of frame

out of place

no longer where they belong

You are slushing through the trail

after heavy rainfall

Stream velocity gathering strength

Urging you down

the pathway

in the canyon

Every step

is important

and meaningful

on its own

Alas, you’re fully immersed

Where the pattern,

the trail,

the way forward

is no longer

recognizable.

It hasn’t disappeared

nor have you.

All remains as a whole and in part

Yet nothing stays

exactly

the

same.

Okay, your turn:

What is it like to be aware that everything is part of a pattern? Does it help to know that everything is also evolving and ever-changing? Does that feel comforting or disconcerting? Or, neither?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2023 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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Merriment

Merriment

Meant

for merrymaking

makes for the merriest

of the merry

in the darkest moments

remember Mary

The light appears

to shine through

even more brightly

than ever before

so that you cannot miss it

during those

darkest moments.

Okay, your turn:

As with other poignant moments in life, the holiday season can bring up strong emotions. At this season this year, for me it’s become especially vivid the contrast between the dark forces and the light. How about for you? I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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Gratitude

Gratitude

begets gratitude

It is cyclical

What goes around

comes around

Spiraling

until the lesson

is learned

and

appreciated

for what it is

and for what it is not

Clear

Confident

Blessed

For your consideration:

Taking a moment to step off the merry-go-round, what do you observe about yourself, your life, your growth? Any recurring patterns worth saving? Any worth discarding?

We do get to choose. It is all in the noticing.

Okay, your turn:

What areas of your life are evolving? In what way? When something ‘comes around again,’ do you reflect on what you can do differently?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Movement of the melody

Lost in the

movement of the melody

Found in the center of the strumming

Carried out into the vast space beyond the horizon line

Only to return

to the rocking chair

on the back deck

sipping sangria

In the darkness of the new moon

The crickets come out to play

Music fills the night sky

and I am

home.

Okay, your turn:

Is there any particular imagery invoked for you by these lines of poetry?

In the stillness of the night, do we hear the melody all the more? Do we notice more of everything? Is that what it takes to grab our attention?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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Falling into Fall

Falling into Fall

Relaxing into the flow of it

The know of it

Even if parts of it

remain unknown.

Unknowable

Indefatigable

Unreasonable

Unseasonably

able

capable

allowable

receivable

welcomed within

with

thankfulness

and

peace.

Subliminal

in the liminal

Folding into the inner,

inter lands

Okay, your turn:

What is it about Autumn (also known as Fall) that you welcome into your experience with heart and arms wide open? What is it about this season (besides an overabundance of pumpkin spice, ha!), that you could do without? What does it mean to allow truly the leaves to change their color without resistance? Is there something you’re trying to ‘hold on to’ beyond its natural time?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Against the grain

Against the grain

I remain

in the main

stream

between the tall stalks

of sugar cane

Raising Cain

a ruckus

within the maze

of maize

In the plain

and with

airplanes

overhead

overheard

in vain

against the vein

of my heart

a disdain

for the fast lane

in rain

makes for a chance

to rein in

the reign

of terror

It’s a changing

of the weather

Looking at the weather vane

atop

the local church

that had stood

the test of time

and pain

for those who dared

to go against

the grain

Cutting across

the valley

of loss

and moss

that only grows on one side

the North side

Which side are you on?

Of convention?

Nonconvention?

Okay, your turn:

Whether it be social norms, institutional ones, or political ones — where do you draw the line? For yourself? Your community? Your country? Does it depend? And if so, in what way(s)?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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I observe, I experience

I observe

I see

I am

You are

We are

one.

Passing through

this lifetime

Birth Death

Birth Death

Neither of these

do we choose

Both do we experience

In-between

is up to each of us.

Explorers

Adventurers

Beyond the mind

Beyond the pale

Of that which we tend to hail

Mental constructs

Personality conflicts

All at the expense of what

is directly in front of us.

Did you miss it?

Live today as if it’s your favorite birthday!

Light the candles

Sing

Party like it’s

nobody’s business.


Life is truly

a gift

Accept it with glee and satisfaction

As if you picked it out for your very self


Remember to enjoy the ride

As you never know when the ride

will stop.

Around we go!

Okay, your turn:

When is the last time you got lost in time? Could it be today? Tomorrow? Every day?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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The trees provide

  • Sequoia Trees in Kings Canyon National Park | California – Photo © Lori A. Noonan 2022

The trees provide

without prompting

without expectation

for one

for all

of us

to prosper.

The rocks endure

the passage of time

and wayward travelers

lost inside.

  • Ascending Moro Rock | Sequoia National Park – Photo © Sarah Storey 2022

The rocks ask no questions

  • Ascending the Top of Moro Rock | Sequoia National Park – Photo © Sarah Storey 2022

The rocks tell no lies

The peaks await your arrival

your ascent

your stay for awhile

to admire the view

and take in the breeze

that swells around you

holding you in place

if only but for a moment or two

in time and space

and then descend

you must

along the way

the very way you came up

with a different view this time

and an awe-filled heart

all the same

all the way

down the mountain.

The trees wave

as you step by step

walk by

all the way down.

At the base, the ground says

hello

welcome back

how’d it go?

Okay, your turn:

Having spent the weekend in the Sierras with a supportive, wonderfully playful, and wildly creative group of co-adventurers who like to hike, I couldn’t help but share with you a poem that I was inspired to write as part of that experience. What in nature speaks to you?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Shooting for the fences

Truth or consequences

Shooting for the fences

the defenseless

Tragedy

from the confines

of a troubled mind

with no mind

for the memories

of Columbine

And so many others

Who’s next in line?

Heartless

cruelty

inflicting pain

on purpose

without purpose

in any redeemable way

Which is all to say

that evil bleeds

through in the most unfathomable ways

that stay

beyond measure

and at the cost

of true treasure.

For your consideration:

Okay, your turn:

What, if anything, will you do differently to help heal your heart and our hurting world today? And, how about tomorrow? And, the day after that?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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In the quiet

In the quiet

the sound sounds louder

In the darkness

the light lights brighter

Can you hear it?

Can you see it?

You can

You can

You certainly

can, can

Dance

the can-can

Spring has sprung!

into a new moon

and into soon

the merry merriment

of

Beltane.

High kicks

galore!

Okay, your turn:

What excites you about this time of year? What brings you joy?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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