Two Minds 

I have been of two minds lately

In this month of May

And even while distracted

I have felt the sun and moons influence 

The sway of the tides
Pulling and pushing
Carrying me away
I have been of two minds lately
One to laugh and one to cry

The seasons they keep changing
Revolving round the sun
An oversimplication of how 
my heart has grown

I've watched the river lately
Ships and tides flowing in and out

Breathing Tonglen for us all

Breathing in the sorrow
Breathing out compassion

The seasons they keep changing
Revolving round the sun
Duality brings both confusion and a bit of clarity



And I've listened to the Angels lately

Trying to avoid the news
Which isn't always easy
considering the times we're in

I have been of two minds lately
One to laugh and one to cry

I have been of two minds lately

One to give and one to receive
Relearning ways of being
I have been before

I have been unpacking lately

Finding evidence of life and love

Believing that
The Universe has a heart
Unsure if it beats for me
I have been of two minds lately

One of hope and one of dread

Life contains so much lately 
That death can take away 

In looking for the blessings
This becomes a way to pray

I have been of two minds lately

One to laugh and one to cry

Then a friend told me

There is no right way to grieve
Grieving knows its way
I have been of two minds lately
One to laugh and one to cry
And one to pray

written June 7, 2007  revised 9/9/11 revised again May 12, 2019
By Pattra Burnetto Monroe