branching streams

branching streams
flowing in darkness
somewhere inside
an uncharted mind.

 

I follow a trail
of present experience
flickering scenes
arriving each instance.

 

swirling mist clears
a landscape appears
I see rocky cliffs receding
giant boulders looming
and careening water splashes
like laughter as it passes.

 

swirling mist clears
pine trees appear
a grassy meadow
can be seen
when I look in-between.

 

swirling mist clears
ancient redwoods appear
I follow a switch-back trail
earth passes underneath

 

swirling mist clears
a mountain peak rises
above the fogginess below
into vibrant sunny glow.

 

swirling mist clears
a calm pool appears.
I stop to consider
the wandering mind
thoughts arriving
thoughts dissolving,
narrating the story
of passing existence.