Yesterday I got up and thought I’d better go out and water the basil I’ve got growing on the lot I’m getting ready to build a house on. It’s not very far. I figured a bit under an hour for the round trip on the bicycle, maybe 10 minutes to water the basil—and zucchini and acorn squash. Fifteen minutes to stand on the lot and feel dazed and happy.

An hour and a half tops.

But it took a lot longer. There was just too much to see.

The lotus flower’s veined pink skin

Is lit up bright from within.

You have to stop and feel amazed—

It doesn’t burn but stays ablaze.

Beginnings and endings

Are right there in the day.

Background is

Foreground.

Forward is back.

Who’s your enemy? Who’s your friend?

When will this talk ever end?

Paradise is what you see

What you see is all you need

Just your eyes can make you kneel

‘Cause what you feel is all that’s real.

Oh, and the basil was just fine. Some little fellows had eaten a bit, but with a little luck, there’ll be enough for all.

“All that’s real 2” coming soon. Maybe.