Emptiness

Belongings impose…

Possessions clutter –

     The less I need, the more I want…

     I cannot own happiness.

Quid pro quo promotes ego…

Sharing welcomes the stranger –

     More is less, less is more…

     Selflessness sustains oneness.

Life’s path is a labyrinth…

Love’s path is an open heart.

     The less I look, the more I see…

     Unity requires emptiness.

Sacrifice enriches…

Suffering engenders –

     The less I talk, the more I hear…

     Beauty has been restored.

A Pilgrim’s Way

Life’s way is a labyrinth path

On the way, I must be wary,

for there are perils to endure,

   duties to embrace.

Life’s way is open

On the way, I must be careful,

my heart needs inspiration,

   my soul wants enlightenment.

We are seekers without a grand plan,

   but we are not passive passengers.

Indeed, the door might be opened for us,

   but we must enter with purpose.

Some doors are closed and even locked,

   and with courage, we find entry.

We, pilgrims, live in the here-now

   and with patience, we accept closure.

Help me to do your will

   to be your apostle

Help me to be good, do good,

   be a power for good

Beauty has been restored

Smile

An ear-to-ear smile

is worth it…

   as patient

   as dentist

      despite the consuming pain.

For the patient

the benefit is…

   beyond time

   beyond cost

      despite the lacking coverage.

For the dentist

the benefit is…

   beyond work

   beyond pay

      despite the daunting risks.

The benefit

is the smile…

   of confidence

   of radiance

      respite for pearly whites.

Duty

“We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all peoples are created equal,

that they are endowed by their Creator

with certain unalienable Rights,

that among these are Life, Liberty

and the pursuit of Happiness.”[1]

Rights are good and do good

demand entitlement

enforce blind justice

Duty    is the power of good

expects involvement

bestows compassion

We hold these works to be fully manifest,

that all are included in the union,

that they are gifted by the Creator,

with certain inviolable Duties,

that among these are Power, Freedom,

and the support of Harmony.

Rights uphold the common good

dictate formal judgment

mandate conformity

Duty    beholds the greater good

            suggests prudent wisdom

heartens community

When Right realizes Duty

Then Duty realizes Right

[1] Declaration of Independence

[1] Declaration of Independence

RI

AI fakes it without making it.

RI makes it without faking it.

AI impersonates confidence.

RI encourages faithfulness.

Artificial instantly displays

a harvested consensus.

Artificial imitates insight

blindly directing answers.

Real securely discovers

a cultivated imagining.

Real focuses on vision

exploring the possibilities.

AI represents the algorithm

and moves on.

RI embraces revelation

and abides in love.

RI

AI fakes it without making it.

RI makes it without faking it.

AI impersonates confidence.

RI encourages faithfulness.

Artificial instantly displays

a harvested consensus.

Artificial imitates insight

blindly directing answers.

Real securely discovers

a cultivated imagining.

Real focuses on vision

exploring the possibilities.

AI represents the algorithm

and moves on.

RI embraces revelation

and abides in love.