As bipeds, we are created to walk on this holy ground to feel the dirt, wet grass, grains of sand, and cool water If you allow it Mother Earth will pull you to her bosom hold you in her embrace suckle you with life giving energy Teary eyes remember a time I couldn't walk the birthright of bipeds lost This day, I can a heart of deep gratitude overflows in body down to my toes and back released as tears expressing beyond words thank you, thank you, thank you I walk on... Tree i

Every month (or so!), I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for November 2015: Known as I am Known by Patrick Bishop Science can explain almost any phenomenon: Why a candle burns How food becomes energy Where the monarch flies How mirror neurons trigger a smile But, when I watch the candle I don't understand it at all The same is true for most nature experience: A baby being born

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for August 2015: The River of Woljeongsa Temple by Patrick Bishop The tall green pines stand like a great gentle wall They whisper of another way beyond their prickly branches Rushing waters call to me, as do the birds; a happy welcoming greeting The crickets call. The squirrels call. The blackbirds call. Even a bumble bee floats

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for July 2015: Together in Our Loneliness by Patrick Bishop The book store cafe is filled with people who sit alone, wanting to connect as they sip Starbucks, flipping through books they don't buy drawn here, not just to read They (we) clearly need to be with others, even in their (our) loneliness The older ones seem to know bett

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for May 2015: Birds of Prayer by Patrick Bishop What did St. Francis say to the birds? "You are beautiful! Look at your exquisite feathers! So full and light, with just enough mystery to hide you in the brush. They allow the air to float beneath, and the water to roll off above. Warming your soft body in winter. Falling off in sp

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for April 2015: See Through Me by Patrick Bishop My heart wants. A memory of what it knows it has lost long ago in separation of divine into form Unable to go back and reconnect Unable to find you in wanting Trying numerous times in a multitude of ways Distracting? Yes. Fulfilling? No. It only makes the emptiness bigger, deeper I

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for March 2015: Blind Faith by Patrick Bishop I don't care about the labels of your morality: Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Zen, Agnostic, Atheist mean little to me What I want to connect with is the goodness of your soul the tenderness of your heart the joy of your being you the suffering that breaks you open I'm scar

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for February 2015: Fire by Patrick Bishop The fire rises Always rising, seeking its highest point Higher, always higher A flickering flame A moment in time Flashing upward like a dance with now Always rising The flame doesn't hesitate and wonder, or doubt and fret, "Should I go higher?!" No. It flashes and strikes out. Now. Now.

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for January 2015: Your Story by Patrick Bishop You have a story to tell It is singular, special, all your own No one else can tell it, which is why it's so important you do There will be joys and sorrows, discoveries and lessons learned Moments when you felt God Others when you feel alone Tears will fall in the telling because yo

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for November 2014: Shadow Dancing in the Catskills by Patrick Bishop I sit in the mountains waiting for what I don't know, and knowing it is already here An old spider's web, running along the rocks, winks in and out off existence moved by the wind illuminated by the sun disappearing back in shadow It has a message for me. The br

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for October 2014: Not Now, I'm Busy by Patrick Bishop Where does the rush of day come from? And the buzz of night? Fed by our insatiable appetite for more, more, more! Question: How are you? Correct answer: Busy. This never-ending busyness worn like a badge of honor The mind dances on either side of now's razored edge, back and f

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for September 2014: United by Patrick Bishop Dear Trayvon, Our systems failed you. It's a flaw of its design. Inherent in the rules, is the brokeness. Truth be told, it was our hearts that failed you long ago. Our eyes are blind to the plight of the other. We are lost in our own imaginary seperateness. Even before that day we fai

Every month, I post one of my poems (paired with one of my pictures), sharing its origin and some of its essence. Here is my Poem & Pic of the Month for August 2014: Windsong by Patrick Bishop What whispers in the wind for you? Promises of dreams? Quiet awe and reverent wonder? Lost love and time gone by? Or does it carry something else? A kiss from someone unknown A seed yet to be planted and sown A tickle of cool breeze just when you need it most Another breath from your cr