Inhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Exhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Inhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Exhale, two, three, four, five, six…

I find counting as I breath to be quite effective. Counting them helps keep the breaths slow and thus the mind can more easily focus on this essential activity, rather than allow the ubiquitous cacophony of thoughts vying for attention in there, to flourish.

A song, usually some random pop song from wherever I heard music last, makes its regular appearance. Often followed by a few odd platitudes I’ve recently been fixating upon, ideas for various art projects, what to write, what to write, what to write, and then… some rehash of an old geo-political, economic and/or social justice, debate rears its ugly head. In mine.

“Dang!”

Inhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Exhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Inhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Exhale, two, three, four, five, six…

“Ah… there I am.” and I smile in awareness. “Such silly distractions”

Inhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Exhale, two, three, four, five, six…

The river, the birds, the wind… that song again?

Of course, I’m now soon thinking of what tasks must be done after this. Thoughts like these bully themselves into my consciousness and I am completely defenseless. “After my practice. Let’s see… I’ll need to start a load of laundry, write for at least an hour, if I leave here by 11:30 (I need to stop by Costco on my way to work) I’m not going to make it to the beach today…” “AGAIN!!!”

“Dang!”

Inhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Exhale, two, three, four, five, six…

“Ah…” So funny, eh? So true”

The truth of my mind then becomes inexplicably entwined in erstwhile wisdom finds of foibles, fables and…

“Heh” Fine!

Here is where it all happens. Here is how the rants otherwise destined for so-called social media sophistry, get zapped. They get zapped into an oblivion created by these bloviation police here. Here where I practice. And practice and practice and practice. Till I’m good! Damn good! All that is left is poetry. Despite the fact that I know NOTHING of poetry, here it be!

Still…

Inhale, two, three, four, five, six…
Exhale, two, three, four, five, six…