Choice

I can choose

What I want to be,

How I feel or

What I see.

The power is mine,

It lies in my hands,

The decisions I make,

Well-thought or unplanned,

Set the scene

For my every day,

As I script the lines

Of my act in this play.

I can be

What I now am,

Or rewrite my part,

Start over again.

Change my lines,

My role and cast,

Create a new character

Or return to one past.

I can feel

What the scene dictates,

Or shift the set,

Let emotions abate.

Change my delivery,

My speech and tone,

Create a new mood

Or leave it alone.

I can see

What appears on stage,

Or adjust my lense,

Repaint a new phase.

Change my view,

My backdrop and props,

Create a new focus

Or enjoy the one I’ve got.

I can choose

How the plot unwinds,

Twists and turns,

Unfolds over time.

The power is mine,

It comes from within,

The choices are endless

Once I begin.

by Susan Haynes

 

Journey

A calming breath,

A tear well-shed,

A gentle touch

As relief is spread.

A peaceful moment,

A liberating sigh,

A warm embrace

As emotions fly.

A thought released,

A smell remembered,

A shift to neutral

As beliefs are surrendered.

A deep affinity,

A transient desire,

A lasting impression

As connection moves higher.

A powerful sentiment,

A sweeping inclination,

A turn towards within

As purpose reclaims dedication.

A centered approach,

A focused vision,

A thirst-quenching knowing

As life grounds intuition.

A whisper sensed,

A feeling translated,

A tune that speaks

As understanding is created.

A well-worn plot,

A comfortable soul,

A memory once forgotten

As journey equates goal.

by Susan Haynes

Water

I thank the water

That passes my lips,

Appreciating, whole-heartedly,

Each intentional sip.

I love this water

That keeps me alive,

Nourishing the cells

Of my body to thrive.

I thank the water

That keeps me afloat,

Guiding me forward

While thought remains remote.

I love this water

That welcomes my swim,

Refreshing my being

Outside and within.

I thank the water

That cleanses my skin,

My fingers and toes,

My face and limbs.

I love this water

That helps bathe me clean,

Allowing my light

To surface and gleam.

I thank the water

That drops from the sky,

Enabling life,

Restoring the dry.

I love this water

That falls upon the Earth,

Humbly recognizing

Its invaluable worth.

I give thanks to all water

That my life does sustain,

Knowing it remembers

When returned again.

I hold love for all water

That crosses my path,

Honoring its vitality

And consciousness vast.

by Susan Haynes

 

Shades

The silky white fluff

Of long lazy days

Floods my heart and head,

As at clouds I gaze.

The tiny clear particles,

Vibration in disguise,

Dance to life’s choreograph

Before my softened eyes.

The deep greens of Earth’s pallet,

Worn by grass, bush, and tree,

Overwhelm me with beauty,

Setting emotion free.

The sharp yellow rays,

Boldly breaking horizons,

Penetrate my being,

As possibilities aliven.

The smoothest dark grays

Of wet river stones

Caress gently my feet,

Whispering stories to my bones.

The infinite blue sky

Dripping into my soul

Cleanses afresh,

Fueling purpose and goal.

The rich browns on my path

Keep me grounded to the core,

Stoically carpeting this journey,

As I reach for more.

The many shades of life

Envelope and embrace,

Speaking volumes when I listen,

And translate with grace.

by Susan Haynes

 

Teacher

Your laughter still echoes
Inside our heads,
Your accent, unique,
Caresses our ears and spreads.

Your hand we still feel
Adjusting our pose,
Your mischievous eyes,
We cherish their glow.

Your space vibrates on
With your chant of Om,
Your peace is now felt,
In our souls you’ve made home.

We appreciate the time
You dedicated without fuss,
Such a privilege to be your students,
What a lasting impression you made on us!

Your role as our teacher
However here does not end,
There’s much more to be learned
Guided by the light you now send.

Your grand legacy
We now honor and treasure,
Eternally in us, 
You live on forever.

by Susan Haynes

 

Maestra

Aún retumba tu risa

En nuestras cabezas,

Tu particular acento

Nos acaricia las orejas.

Aún sentimos tu mano

Corrigiéndonos la postura,

Tu mirada traviesa

La recordamos con ternura.

Aún vibra tu canto

Om en la sala,

Tu paz se respira,

En nuestras almas te calas.

Agradecemos el tiempo

Que a nosotros dedicaste,

Un privilegio ser tus alumnos,

¡Qué gran huella nos dejaste!

Tu papel de maestra

Aquí no termina,

Queda mucho por aprender,

Ahora tu luz nos guía.

Tu enorme legado
En cada uno reside,
Gran parte de ti
En nosotros eternamente vive.

por Susan Haynes

Grateful

 

Grateful

Thank you heart

For beating strong,

Your rhythmic ticking

Such a beautiful song.

Thank you lungs,

Breathe in the air,

Inflate with life

This body so dear.

Thank you brain

For becoming aware,

Rational or creative,

Just know I care.

Thank you eyes,

See beauty uplift,

Wrapped in light

Each glance a gift.

Thank you ears,

Capture that melody,

In tune with life,

Providing me clarity.

Thank you limbs,

Carry me forth,

Help me clasp on

To life with force.

Thank you skin,

Thicker or thin,

Let life’s sensations

Touch me within.

Thank you mouth

For shaping the words,

No matter the language

My voice will be heard.

Thank you body,

My unique ecosystem,

Designed to perfection

With intricate wisdom.

Thank you soul,

In body reside,

The blueprints for life,

My compass to guide.

Thank you life,

Every day here on Earth

Has been a privilege to experience

Each moment since birth.

by Susan Haynes