Only when the Last

…Lovingly dedicated to the Mama & Baby black bear found dead at the side of the Hwy  days ago by a friend - just before hibernation, to the Mama doe I saw hanging over her freshly hit and gone fawn earlier in the summer,  the large lone male adolescent bear I found hit and dying at night, and a Mama doe I saw leading her fawn up a steep bank with her own leg dangling uselessly because she'd been 'tagged' by a speeding vehicle and sustained permanent damage.  Dedicated to account of a moose that had been struck by a train, who took 4 days to die… according to rail workers who repeatedly rode by on their route.

For the countless squirrels and skunks, and birds and dogs and cats I've stopped to move off the road and give a decent, respectable passing.   And all of the moths, butterflies and dragonflies mowed down by humans - including me tho I drive less and less and try to dodge, believing their/our 'need' to get somewhere other than where they are takes precedence, that the road is mere means to an end. 

~May we remember absoulutely & without exception that the journey is everything and everyone we meet along the way.~

Ode to the precious young shy, ear-clipped and wondering cows on the quaint 'hobby farms' in my neighbourhood who I befriend and  welcome each spring with a sad heart, for the years of my inadvertent witnessing or hearing them shot in front of their friends around this time of year.  For the horrified chicken onlookers, huddled and watching their friend get slaughtered on  a table by their 'caretakers' a short distance away - knowing it's only a matter of time.  For all those who are treated less than respectfully and even resented by their keepers.

For all of the animals in cages, experimented on, poisoned by our pollution and stunted or extinct or nearing by our ignorant ways, the oil-caked birds and baby seals clubbed in front of their mothers, wild horses captured and slaughtered for no humane reason.   This is dedicated to the horribly disadvantaged wild 'game' animals behind fences, and their kin roaming 'free' until hunting season, and they and their 'light footprint' families are descended upon by raging rednecks heavily armed in camo and ATV's…& Everyone else I haven't mentioned but is constantly and without exception in my prayers and awareness.

~May we understand the profound patience and intelligence of our Friends in all shapes and forms and know them for who they Are, relating from that sacred place always and in all ways.  May we actively reduce the suffering of All Sentient Beings, including Ourselves.~

AHO

*PRAYERS* for our Relations of the Water element…  SEE~ING ALL of Pachamama's arteries, vessels and veins (rivers, streams, springs) running clear and beautyfull, free and joyfull… Her Oceans, Seas and Lakes flowing clean and teaming with LIFE…

I was struck during a recent journey to the Ocean that  it's up to us as individuals and in groups/NGO's (vs. govt lipservice) to physically actually get down to the business of cleaning up the mess on the Planet.

As far as WATER - planetary lifeblood - goes, I don't just mean recycling/disposing instead of tossing overboard - I couldn't believe the crap coming up with the tides…no. 1 polluter: plastic water bottles! - …culminating in phenomena like the massive swirls of garbage now floating around in our oceans that can be spotted on Google Earth.

Never mind the plethora of sea faring beings killed by plastic bags alone each year.

On the a.m. of my departure from a Mexican beach last week, I cleared 100's of feet of swept in fishing line and net from the night before - rescued 1 crab and 'released' 7 fish unnecessarily taken.  A seemingly momentus task involving several blade sizes that took about 21/2 fully charged hrs to get done: - With salty breeze in my hair and wind licked skin, I stealthily navigated rock, sand and water scape in borrowed newskool runners - fueled on superfoods with Bassnectar blasting exactly the right frequency in my ears… 

I admit that I found myself slightly chagrined by of the 'Americant's' sitting and watching for nothing in the cheap seats high up on the beach and/or walking by - nothing a small volume adjustment couldn't handle.  I realize jumping in isn't every one's style tho it may be some day - plus the oldsters did prop by offering to do the garbage haul after all, the smart ones again.  

…If not we, then who? 

If not now, then when?

The Whales were there, a Dolphin came to say fare well and me like wise.
~*   

And NO
Eye haven't scene it ~

Enough is Enough!