sea

the harbour seals are giving birth
daily to wee silkies..
the sandy beach is covered with
great mamas full to the brim
with their babes..
the seagulls hover to be the first
to claim the afterbirth..
the newbornes follow their ma's
instruction of chest tapping..
"come here, come here..
get your nourishment!"
every morning there are more babies
fluffing up the satin robes
they were borne in.

to be so close to the wild ones
gives clarity to the human ones..


"in the beginning was the tao.
all things issue from it;
all things return to it.

to find the origin,
trace back the manifestations.
when you recognize the children
and find the mother,
you will be free of sorrow.

if you close your mind in judgements
and traffic with desires,
your heart will be troubled.
if you keep your mind from judging
and aren't led by the senses,
your heart will find peace.

seeing into darkness is clarity.
knowing how to yield is strength.
use your own light
and return to the source of light.
this is called practicing eternity."

tao de ching