Meditation #6 “Organics”
Pandemic Fantasy, 2020
I left the world. It was getting too heavy, surreal like a Dali nightmare. Clocks falling off trees, big blinking eyes in the clouds. Plus a pandemic was going on. The White House announced it on Friday and the Eagle didn’t fly. So I decided to leave the world. I made a deal with my dreams. The deal was–pick one of my dreams and I could be there.
I chose the misted magical forest with a small stream running through it. This dream was special because it had a marvelous scent. Though my dreams are always in color most are not gifted with fragrance — this one was. As soon as I got there–I knew I made the right choice. I was in bliss the moment I opened my eyes.
There weren’t any people around so this made life easier — only me. I walked around and thought about people. What I liked about them and also what I didn’t like. It started to become a comedy reel — seeing all our blunders in one big laugh. Well that didn’t last long. Very quickly, the tears started falling. I couldn’t figure out why there are so many killings, wars, poverty, and suffering. And then this pandemic that was killing more and more people everyday. The plumber told me it was God’s will. But is god that cruel? I wanted to say–Buddha wouldn’t do that. But I didn’t think of that until he left. Then my neighbor chimed in and said the pandemic was the Democrats fault. A cold wind started blowing hard — a good excuse to go inside, close the door and leave the world.
It was twilight time and I started to miss people. So in this world of bliss, I decided to leave and return to L. A. Because of my age, I’m quarantined. But I think I’ll make life. I’m breathing pretty regularly. After all, I like humanity–people scurrying around doing things I don’t understand. I want to keep my heart in meditation mode–wide open. So in ten more breaths — I surrender.
count down
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
I am here–home.
Genie Nakano, March, 2020
Corona – Conversations with my Consciousness
Every time my lover Goes out the door I wonder Will he come back Safe and sound, with corona going around Conscience says... Don't worry See the woman walking her dog outside Join her in her walk Your dogs are bored and listless See the crow hopping on the tree before a backdrop of blue sky and cotton candy clouds And you, Fearless yoga teacher Canceled all classes did you not? Now you know-- That's not the way to be. Conscience, listen to me-- I feel I'm doing my part The White House, said to do this. Conscience says... But girl you're not white When did you go with the sheep? Please, I don't know if I'm right But I'm doing my part in practicing "social distancing" Give me a week to think this over Yesterday dancing in the street Next day, Our family restaurant shut down Into a surreal world Where vampires sweep the grocery stores String beans strewn on the floors All the shelves scraped clean "Three minutes to closing time", I keep hearing But don't you close at 12 PM and it's only 9 PM Don't you know, we need to eat? I hear in the air, through the lines, and in lines We have a chance to make a better world One that values life Perhaps the teeter totter of our lives Makes life more precious I love my husband lover, like there is no tomorrow Yet, only yesterday I was hollering-- Empty the trash, get organized. So conscience, I'm heading for an open nursery to find roses to plant in the Spring I hope I'm not too late But first, I'll take the dogs for a walk Genie Nakano, March 17, 2020
Light a Thousand Candles
Meditation #5 “Sitting”
Everyday I meditate the same way like sitting on a rabbits foot I feel lucky
Immunity March
Photo:Genie Nakano, Kyoto, Japan 2018, "A Mall"
Love is Contagious
I wrote this before I knew the severity of the Corona Virus. Sadly I was mistaken. I was ashamed of what I wrote and trashed it. I just took it out of trash. If only this is just a bad dream and we'll all wake up. "I'm a dreamer and probably will be one forever." Here in L.A. it's a cold grey day but I'm warming up inside change is about to happen let's make this a happening the virus is here it's been here since the Spanish flu a pandemic in 1918 and now it's number 19 I read about it so it must be true I'm eating well I promise to stay healthy until death do I part teaching Yoga and Zumba classes and congregating in groups people are what keep us strong they can't take that away from us humans we left caves long ago I'm no doctor yet this I know-- we must wash our hands from fear keep on washing, keep on washing I know-- prayer meditation and love creates more serotonin and serotonin more immunities so, keep the love bug working Love is contagious so spread love everywhere from your heart in your thoughts, in your actions let love fly, anyway you can om, shanti, shanti om, Genie Nakano ,3/10/20
"I know that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." John Lennon
Pink Dolphins and Parallel Moons
I changed the title of the Tanka Series.
I changed the title of this series....Having trouble with a title. If you have any suggestions for a title--please help.) In my dream, a firefly lights my way hummingbirds drip honey, ocean waves rise in sync with my breath the Amazon's pink dolphins mate with virgins another Mary is born our world turns upside down as the moon floats far away a parallel moon with an umbilical cord, connects us to another system transforms us into "annica" we digest air no need to eat, poop and waste we are here for the moment and the moment is here blink your eye and you are there shut your eyes to see where you are blink, close, behold and open before I fell asleep mother sang me fairy tales of a world full of magic that's why I believe in god Oct. 5, 2019 (Originally published in Rafu Shimpo an International Japanese Newspaper)
Mood Indigo written by Genie Nakano at Spillwords.com
Spillwords.com presents: Mood Indigo, a tanka prose, written by Genie Nakano – I was born in Boyle Heights, CA… known as the barrios of East L.A.
Source: Mood Indigo written by Genie Nakano at Spillwords.com
Counting my Breath
Counting my Breath what can you say about the sun, moon, stars while sky holds them up do they have a choice looking out my window figures walk their dogs some run some trot some stop to smell the roses I planted on the curb I watch them sniff then off they go please spread their sweetness everywhere and come back again I'm waiting for my transformation when I love everyone and everything-- "all sentient beings" tomorrow will come in less than 24 hours the sun will shine the moon will rise sky has no judgements perhaps a critical mass is due but let's leave the people out of this equation patience is the antidote to anger I'm counting my breath as I turn blue April 23, 2019 Originally published in Rafu Shimpo Japanese Newspaper
Genie Nakano 