14 July

Heat Wave. Twilight Album

by Jon Katz
Heat Wave. On The Path

We have a hot and sticky time going, as does much of the country. The grass is turning brown, the humidity is intense by late afternoon. This will go on until Wednesday. We are dopey, sluggish, but I was lured out by the beautiful evening light. If there is an upside to climate change, it might be the beautiful light. We stuck a small air conditioner in the bedroom window and are holing up to read.  Album on Facebook.

14 July

The Dogs Of Bedlam Farm. Who Do I Miss?

by Jon Katz
Who Do I Miss?

They ask me every day,

who do I miss?

Who do I mourn?

Where is Homer?

How is Clementine?

Where is Pearl?

Do you cry for Rose?

Miss Izzy?

How do I tell them,

that I don’t miss,

I don’t mourn,

It’s not my business to know,

of dogs that are gone, that belong to others.

What is in my heart, is a choice,

not an obligation, is light, not darkness,

is love, not loss.

My heart is full of love – drowning sometimes – for what is here,

right now, in this place.

Maria, Simon, Lenore, Frieda, this farm,

the next farm, my blog, Red, cats and chickens,

ponies and cats.

What is there to miss?

To mourn?

My girl, my dogs, my donkeys, my life,

my books, my friends, my photos.

There is not room in my full heart for missing,

or mourning, or looking back at what is lost,

what is gone.

It is so full with what is here now.

Right now.

There is no missing. Only being.

14 July

Beautiful Love Games. When They Are Asleep

by Jon Katz
Love Games

When they sleep, they are angry at you for being different.

For disagreeing.

For being afraid to believe them,

and accept their cold and greedy lies.

When they sleep, they forget that loves is what endures,

love is the point. They can’t play beautiful

loves games, they choke on anger

and certainty.

And feast on making you feel small and alone.

When you are asleep, you fear them,

believe them, give them pieces of you,

pay them bribes to feel

safe and secure.

When you wake up, you know you

can’t pay your way to peace and freedom.

It is free. There all the time,

like Dorothy’s slippers.

Right inside.

Do not ever stop playing

beautiful loves games.

Those that are asleep,

never do.

 

14 July

On Guard. Frieda

by Jon Katz
On Guard

Frieda is just as much a working dog as Red, but in a different way. She is the sentinel, always on guard, always protecting Maria and I and the farm. Someone told me once that dogs like Frieda – she is a Rottweiler/Shepherd mix – are the world’s best alarm systems. I do not feel unsafe on the farm, or in need of protection. Yet it is a nice feeling to know Frieda is watching. Nothing gets too close to the farm that Frieda does not want there.

She is working all the time. I thank her every morning for watching our backs.

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