Once, I was the key and the turning of the key
Once, I was the lock and the unlocking of the lock
Once, I was the door and the opening of the door
Once, I was the light and the seeing of the light
However, when the light was really seen,
when the door was really opened,
when the lock was really unlocked,
when the key was really found:
There was no “I,” just the turning of the key
There was no “I,” just the unlocking of the lock
No “I” was there, just the opening of the door
No petty “I” was there, just seeing and infinite illumination
[Note: This is another close-up of some Lichen on a small Oak branch. I continue to suspect that the close symbiotic relationship between primitive algae and primitive fungus… such as in Lichen, tended to continue — because of its very advantageous aspects — throughout evolution with the higher evolved trees and mushrooms. That is why, today, we are discovering that mushrooms and trees (and many other plants) share communication and nutrients with each other underground (even over vast distances).]
Lichen on small Oak branch… Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Thoughtful verse. Nice shot!
And something more than thought, too, we hope! Thank you, Belinda! 🙂
Corporate and political systems can learn much from eco systems and such symbiotic relationships. Sadly in my experience they never do!
Yes! Especially the current nefarious, anti-environment U.S. administration.
Love this one 🌷
Thank you much, Ellie! 🙂
Your poem explains really well.
Lichen is amazing stuff – lovely photo.
Good to read, Scifi! Yes, it occurs worldwide and is way more abundant than most realize! It is estimated that 6% of the earth’s surface is covered by lichen. 🙂
Wow that is a huge surface area. I even see some on our pavements here – surprising for a hot dry place!
Another cool lichen close-up! 🙂
Thank you, Donna! There’s a lot to like about lichen! 🙂
Exactly!
Yes indeed! 🙂
I read something the other day about how magic mushrooms might have played a role in human evolution…interesting.
Altered our genetic structure perhaps…
We have much to learn from lichen … connectivity … slow growth … patience, alas, does not bode well in modern human dynamics. Your poem’s truth is hard for many to swallow, let alone achieve. But you make a strong case!
Yes, so many are heavily conditioned via miseducation, cold evolutionary tendencies, social media, etc., that getting them to really go the distance — which isn’t really any distance at all — is highly unlikely. We realize that all too well.
Lichen is fascinating! 🙂
I love where your thoughts come.
Thanks much, Ken! 🙂
There’s a lot there when we dare to go deeper… much more than what my blog conveys. People don’t realize what they are missing.
Exquisite!
Thank you, Roxi. I was very impressed by your recent stuff too! 🙂
Thanks for the “I” opening words and lovely lichen photos.
🙂 We hope the “I” opening words help to dissolve the crass thing!
Always enjoy your photos and poems(haikus, Thomas, regards Mitza
So good to read, Mitza! 🙂 I think we may finally get some rain… tonight and in the next day or two. It’s been too dry for Spring!
They certainly adorn that small oak branch – I tend to forget they are magnified when I look at your lichen photos.
Magnified for sure! 🙂
Sad about the school shootings. What a sick society we live in now.
Beautiful poem Tom ! I really like how you write! 🙂