Between a Lion & a Worm

author's note:

"Red wigglers…the Cadillac of worms!”
            -- from the TV series WKRP in Cincinnati


BETWEEN A LION & A WORM

The phenomenon known
as shape shifting
is a common occurrence.
Consider:

I've seen lions become worms
and hide under stones
after accepting the lie told to them.
But that need not be a tragedy—
a big cat can benefit
from living subterranean

because as a worm
it can feed upon
the rich life to be found
in the loam below the surface.

But as that grubber expands
its safe space
will began to feel
suffocating.

The crawler must then decide:
will I die as a worm
or emerge

and live as a lion?

I predict:
when we look back
on our worm-life
we will reject all regrets

because then
we’ll be able to see
all we learned
in our life as a worm.

mythsteps · Between a Lion and a Worm

© 2024, Michael R. Patton
glorious tedious transformation: a poetry book

How I Learned to Surf

author’s note:

I believe without question: there's a part of me that knows exactly what I need to do.


HOW I LEARNED TO SURF

Years ago
I felt my legs trembling
and could not see the cause

so I decided to close down
and sat myself down
on a flat desert stone.

But in stillness
I started to feel
mysterious energies
working within me:

an emotional ocean heaved and crashed
in waves of constant conflict.

I tried
but could not tame that storm.
I wanted to run
but felt too weak to stand.

Fortunately I remembered
a claim made by the ancients:

way down below can be found
the foundation stone of our being.

Desperate for security
I then dove
into those unruly waters—

in search of the stone
I fought my way down

and down

until I felt a calm powerful presence—

its big ocean bell
sounded out this message:

open...
open up…
open more!

From experience I knew:
inner guidance must be obeyed
even when the action seems hazardous.

So I opened my toes
my hands
my chest
my stomach
my groin

then opened my eyes
to find myself
standing on that flat stone—
my feet planted apart
and my arms spread wide
for balance, for balance
as I surfed
over waves of soil and sand.

A victory, yes
but I must admit
now, years later
I still tremble with tension.
But when a little becomes too much
I refuse to shut down—
no, I open more
and go with the motion.

In that way
I manage to stand strong
and ride the waves
of this incredible ocean storm.

mythsteps · How I Learned to Surf

Listening to Silence: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton

Rediscovery

author's note:

At a time of many disasters, I'm working not to become a disaster myself.


REDISCOVERY

Though I don't pray
sometimes I do
lower to my knees
then lower my head
and join right palm to left

because this pause
and position
somehow quiets thought
and allows me to deepen down
and find that place of peace
where I can hear
the wordless wisdom
of what seems to be
my own god within.

In the humility of lowering
I again realize
my higher potential
and so
once again feel hope.

mythsteps · Rediscovery

Listening to Silence: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton

Working in the Desert Garden

author’s note:

As a boy, I liked that guy Moses.

I still like Moses.  But not the guy—the symbol.


WORKING IN THE DESERT GARDEN

As a child I felt encouraged
when I heard how Moses
managed to exit Egypt.

Like him, I waited patiently
and when those waters finally parted
I split.

But then
as I explored the desert
I discovered
a part of the story
not mentioned in Exodus:
how the chains remain within us
long after our brave escape.

To those struggling
to find their way free
I’ll share what I know for sure:
you must loosen those chains slowly—
link by link by link by link.

When such tedious progress
burdens me down
I’ll lift myself by remembering
those victorious Moseses I’ve met—
they told me:

keep going
and you will eventually reach
the promise land of peace

but along the way
don’t forget to appreciate
the countless blessings
of this desert garden.

mythsteps · Working in the Desert Garden

Survival: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton