dedicated to than...

who has listened to much of my "storming" and "seething" over the past several months and achieves a little higher on the equanimity scale than i do. it's good to have such a family member. also, i wanted an excuse to post at least one of these fabulous hippopotamus photos from st. lucia in south africa. do click on the photo to get a better view of the smiling fellow (or lady) in the middle of the pod. isn't that a great smile?




The Hippo

The hippo floats in swamp serene,
some emerged, but most unseen.

Seeing all and only blinking,
Who knows what this beast is thinking.

Gliding, and of judgment clear,
Letting go and being here.

Seeing all, both guilt and glory,
Only noting. But that's MY story.

I sit here hippo-like and breathe,
While inside I storm and seethe.

Would that I were half equanimous
As that placid hippopotamus.

By Steven Hickman