Cool 2

Mist drifts amidst tall trees -

Above cool, clear blue pools

And grass splattered with dew.

We too should stay so cool:

Composed and rational even in a duel.

Forget adrenaline

And lose that Cortisol.

Ever see a dog or cat work out

Or do press-ups?

Watch those animals relax

And sleep:

Only springing up when something happens.

Avoid those fiery rages

As much as you can.

Steer clear of hell

With all its fury and flames

And violent eruptions.

Give me a golden pint

Of ice-cold brew.

Any beer will do.

Even without such help

Let us calm our hearts,

Lay back and relax

Even fall asleep for a while.

For we have earned

Our quiet hours

Amongst those misty trees.

Paul Butters

© PB 26\6\2018.

Universal

(Picture Credit - Cone Nebula by Space dot com)

There’s always a sun bringing light

To places otherwise dark.

Anywhere in the universe

Always a star or two (or more) nearby.

Somewhere there is always life

No matter how transient it may be.

Life that flourishes

In icy wastes, volcanic vents, wide deserts:

Almost anywhere.

For life clings on

With utter determination

To survive.

There’s always grass and trees

Fish and animals

Birds and insects

Of some sort

Wherever life has taken hold.

Never underestimate Mother Nature

Wherever she reigns

Perhaps on planets of every size

Circling around stars

That boggle the mind

Compared to our humble Sol.

Just Rejoice

That We are here right now:

Able to witness and marvel at the wonders

Of a cosmic realm

That we have only just begun

To explore.

Paul Butters

© PB 25\6\2018.

Anxiety and Fear

(Picture Credit MBL Consultancy)

I say again –

Fear has a vital function.

Without it our ancestors would have been eaten

By lions or sabre-toothed tigers.

We need it so survive

A terror attack

Or any physical threat.

Yet in modern days even mild anxiety

Has little use:

Filling us with Cortisol and Stress.

We are like rabbits in headlights,

Paralysed with worry

Over those exams and other tasks.

We must not Fear or fret.

As Frank Herbert said in “Dune”

We have to face our fears

And let them pass over and through.

For only we will remain.

We must stay Mindful

Of the here and now

And let the future take care of itself.

So I will not do Fear

Of any kind

Unless that thug or terrorist appears

And even then

I will try my best

To keep my cool.

Be clinical

Rather than angry

For Anger is the cousin of Fear

And only any use

When you rationally decide

To attack.

In short

Do not Do Fear

Or Anger

Unless you really have to.

Paul Butters

© PB 18\6\2018.

Early Hour

(Picture Credit - Manna Express)

It’s an early hour

At least for me.

I’m half asleep yet full of thought.

As if my brain has churned through everything

Throughout the night

And come up with

Some answers.

This happens often

So poems and things emerge

At times like this.

It’s cool and calm right now.

I love this peaceful, early morning time:

No birdsong even.

Yet a pigeon and sparrow on my back lawn.

No sound of cars

Or any of the hustle and bustle

Of a working day.

So serene and soothing to my soul.

Safe as though I’ve hidden

Under the floorboards

Away from the sun’s hot glare

And the turbulence

Of Life.

I suppose I’m mindful now

Of all around me

As I meditate

About nothing in particular.

Even a little spider in my diary this morning

Has not disturbed this serene feeling,

This atmosphere of calm.

Carbon dioxide cools this room.

Ah, wrong kind of atmosphere!

I speak (inside my head) of more soulful emotion

As I said

But I’d better be careful

That I don’t fall back to sleep

Laid back here

In my comfy armchair…

Paul Butters

© PB 16\6\2018.