Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Summer Retreat

A L O H A !


" In my first thirty years of life
I roamed hundreds and thousands of miles.






Walked by rivers through deep green grass
Entered cities of boiling red dust.
Tried drugs, but couldn't make Immortal;
Read books and wrote poems on history.



Today I'm back at Cold Mountain:
I'll sleep by the creek and purify my ears. "

Han Shan,
Translated by Gary Snyder




> < } } ( ° >

What kind of life is this,
Living in the vacation land
of Waikiki?

I look at the world
of important affairs
and it is just as happy
without me.

And so, like Han Shan,
I live in retirement.

Except that my words
are not secrets
but broadcast
widely

and wonder 
of wonders!

YOU
arrive!

          Thank YOU, cloudia
     

31 comments:

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I think you are waking up Cloudia and I'm just off to bed. I would like to 'sleep by the creek and purify my ears' as they have been talked nearly off my head today, but will have to settle for my cosy warm bed.

Joop Zand said...

I like your work very much Cloudia.

Joop Zand said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jeannie said...

Given I will likely never get to Hawaii, I enjoy seeing it through your eyes.

Charles Gramlich said...

I haven't the strength a public life would take.

Indrani said...

Good captures, particularly of the white flower.

wenn said...

nice lovely shots!

ayala said...

I like this. Gratitude of living in paradise.

Myrna R. said...

The thoughts you print always provoke some emotion, insight, feelings. You have a great talent.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for making life good again; wherever one lives.

Please have you all a good Thursday.


daily athens

Commander Zaius said...

Great post!

bichonpawz said...

I just adore that white flower!!! Gorgeous Cloudia!!

SandyCarlson said...

You're awesome.

I vote we all take early retirement and let that greatest of gurus, the ocean (pick one, any one), speak to us the truth worth hearing.

Cloudia said...

Thank YOU EACH!

magiceye said...

to greet you warmly!

namaste /\ from mumbai
aloha!!

Anonymous said...

"I'll sleep by the creek and purify my ears."

Today I wish for this. Nature is the only place where you heal by osmosis.

Elephant's Child said...

Lovely,lovely, lovely. I had a difficult day today and your photos and quotes are a balm for my sou. Thank you.

the walking man said...

Somewhere between here and there is a middle ground of vacation land being within and without at the better side of six decades maybe I should rise from the ground beside the stream and try to find it.

Birdman said...

Quite a flower shot. It could stand alone with your text.

Jeanie said...

Your comfort with your life shines through in this post.

Daryl said...

Wish I was there

mermaid gallery said...

living in holiday land would be different alright....but i could get used to it....

Dianne said...

I love it when the clouds appear to touch the sand and water

and that person attached to the blue board is mighty fine! :)

Akelamalu said...

Lovely post Cloudia. x

Lynn said...

I imagine that to be a lovely place to live - thank you for sharing the photos and words describing it.

TALON said...

I'm glad you share your thoughts and your beautiful part of the world, Cloudia. It's like a breath of fresh air, perfectly spiced with wisdom.

Erika said...

I like very much your considerations, dear friend Cloudia! Have a nice Friday!
:)
Ciao from Italy

Lisa said...

this makes me want an adventure cloudia. thank you. i had been to hawaii the big island but not to waikiki. can i come visit you someday?

Cloudia said...

Thank YOU!!

Ballet News said...

Adore that white flower !

Freda said...

Your poem makes me smile and gives a sense of being glad to be here visiting your blog. Retirement...... a time of connections. And opportunities.