A Deep Drop

author’s note:

You’re just as much a paradox as I am.


A DEEP DROP

Before I fell asleep in the field
I recalled the waterdrop seen
on that dark-purple flower petal

and felt: I’m just a drop.

But as consciousness
slowly evaporated
into darkness
I felt myself
deepening down.

Then when I awoke
after an hour
or maybe a month
I remembered feeling
so small.
I remembered feeling
so deep.

I felt our truth again.

So easy to forget.

Listening to Silence: poetry ebook
© 2021, Michael R. Patton

Many New Dawns

author's note:

Reality...what a concept!
      -- Robin Williams


MANY NEW DAWNS

I awoke to the morning sun
as if struck by lightning

then woke again--

shocked
as I realized
my first awakening
had been a dream.

I pinched myself then
to be certain of my reality

then woke again

but this time
to the actual physical world

though a philosopher might ask
can you be sure?

To that I'd reply:
maybe not--but
I’m pretty sure I know
what the dream says
which is:

enlightenment doesn't happen
in one final lightning moment
but with many awakenings--
many new dawns.

And I say:
we are never done--
not even after
we've gone beyond.

© 2018, Michael R. Patton
searching for my best beliefs: poetry ebook