Mindfulness of the breath,

a single leaf of the backyard

sycamore falling

into earth’s open arms

today. Sense

leaf’s texture

in time between two fingers

alive, pulsing

in the hearth

of afternoon light.

Being present in the body, sensing

muscle and bone, skin and sinew,

locating what is real

in this moment’s

simple physicality

this moment only

found again,

and again,

and again,

in the small passageway

of your shimmering attention,

forever returning

to enter the temple of being,

with a gentle shift

allowing

each tree leaf

feeling body

breath infused thought

an attentive spacious home

of quiet knowing,

accepting care.