HAIKU

Haiku ~ Japanese lyric verse form having three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables, traditionally invoking an aspect of nature or the seasons.

Photograph of Cathy Ginter by Melody Rose Nolan

The Winged Bird Leaves No Footprints

A Collection of Spiritual Haiku for Meditation and Contemplation

written by Cathy Ginter

Lines of floating clouds,

This lovely way that water

dissolves into air

***

New moon reflection,

Reverie in emptiness,

Black on black on black.

***

Witness, no witness?

Emptiness or spaciousness?

One Self or no self?

Questions left behind

Like brightly colored prayer flags,

Hanging by the gate.

***

In the Observer,

As in the eye of the storm,

Is serenity.

***

This watching of clouds,

Moving across planes of light. . .

Form meets formlessness.

***

Absolute awakening

Devours ripened hearts

And licks the plate clean.

***

Fire blazing hot,

Releasing all memory

Into rising smoke.

***

Brush, moving through hair...

Even this simple action

Is a gift of Grace.

***

Sometimes, in asking

A question, the questioner

Is passing judgment.

***

At the shoreless sea,

Each drop of the vast ocean

Meets a wave of bliss.

***

A slow steady rain,

Filling daylily blossoms...

Sweet drink of water.

***

Shimmering movement,

Sunlight kissing the water...

A love connection.

***

Gateways into joy

Open as the Heart answers

The call to freedom.

***

Burn all illusion

Until all that remains is

A humble servant.

***

Chanting Om last night

Third eye turned up and inward

Light showers from Grace

***

Cast away the shell

And remember only this

Brahman is my name!

***

Early this morning,

Plum blossoms, still moist with dew,

Float on my soul's breath.

***

Within truth's essence,

All knowledge comes to an end.

Realize only this.

***

Oh Brahman Supreme,

Guru of the Universe

Always in my Heart!

***

Bird in the mountain,

Can you hear my final song

Called liberation?

***

Where is my old self?

Gone as though it never was...

Nothing left to mourn.

***

How do we decide

Between wildly, crazy free

And bound by ego?

***

Beautiful dawn with

Venus rising in the East

And storm clouds shining.

***

Oh sweetness of Grace,

Shining forever brightly...

So many blessings.

***

Soulful traveler,

The journey is treacherous

And quite steep at best.

Throw caution aside,

Take no baggage when jumping

Into the unknown.

***

Mimicking truth words

Is not the wisdom we seek.

Parrots can talk too.

***

Are you still dreaming,

Wandering about here... there...

With eyes wide open?

***

Who can be hiding

Beneath a veil spun of guilt

When God sees right through?

***

Unyielding June bug,

Banging on the window screen,

Longing for the light.

***

Fresh words, showering...

Rain drips from the lily's throat

On newly tilled earth.

***

Nearing wisdom's gate,

A thought teases the master

Like clouds pass the sun.

***

Why does the white dove

Catch the heart of one and still

Long for another?

***

Forever is Light,

Illuminating the earth

And all her children.

***

Enter the silence,

Waiting beneath the silence.

Perfect reflection…

***

Luminous gateway

Transforms the journey to find

A creative heart.

***

Autumn leaves falling,

Blanketing the forest floor

Copper and amber.

***

A Thanksgiving feast

Serving compassion, kindness,

Laughter, peace and love.

***

In silent wonder,

Snowflakes falling… for loved ones

And still healing hearts.

***

Between moon and star,

From dusk to the birth of dawn,

I AM, embracing…

***

Sweet blossoms floating,

The simplest invitation

To begin again…

***

Black cherry blossoms

Carried by the midday breeze,

Petals everywhere.

***

This Thanksgiving eve,

The silent Heart reminds us

Of friends and loved ones.

***

When we offer peace,

The give in forgiveness leads

To the miracle.

***

I am breathless... One,

With wings... and so God proclaims

Love is my soul's name.

***

By holding each thought,

In stillness and inner Light,

All-Knowing reveals...

***

Clear water flows forth,

From sky to ground, it runs free

To meet the great sea.

***

Snowdrops opening.

Knowledge revealed through wisdom,

Manifesting Light.

***

Imagine a place

Past the web of all thinking

As simply Being.

***

Showering light rays

Rest a blessing on our hearts

From the hand of Grace.

***

Crystal healing points,

Treasures from our Mother's womb,

Offerings of fire.

***

Mind, piercingly sharp

In pinpointed awareness...

Now, truth might flow through.

***

To make the journey

From victim to creator,

Always live your truth.

***

The joy of being

In this moment as it is...

Breathe the breath of life.

***

Full moon at midday,

Inspiring a reverie

Of light on water.

***

This diving within

Movement into the Heart's lair

I am meeting I

***

Why is the fragrance

Of the white rose, offering

Itself to the dawn?

Understand this, and

You will see through every

Veil of illusion.

***

Sea of colorful

Flowers, bursting soul essence,

Feeding hungry eyes.

***

Wind, moving lightly

Past my ear, listening

To the cricket's song.

***

Heart overflowing

With an outpouring of bliss...

Rain on samsara.

***

Where is the doer

When the self disengages

From thoughts of doing?

***

Enjoying the rain,

Slicing pears from the orchard

And eating the fruit.

***

Without direction,

A leaf carried by the stream

Spins with the current. . .

***

Yes, simplicity. . .

Chimes on a late summer day

Give the wind a voice.

***

Why do we adorn

That which is already perfect?

What remains undone?

***

Asking, "Who are you?"

Responding, "Beyond the mind,

There is the wellspring."

***

Teacher or student?

Just another mask to wear

On the stage of life.

***

This way or that way,

Go which ever way you desire

On the journey home.

***

Different flowers

Enjoy growing together.

Diversity works!

***

Outside this morning,

In the garden, pulling weeds

And chanting mantra.

***

Resting in silence

No need to do this or that

Simply resting in...

***

Lightning in the night,

Exposing the horizon.

Now, thunder rumbles.

***

Catch a wave of light

Star streams and universal tides...

All part of the ride!

***

Give no attention

To the drama unfolding.

Turn and walk away.

***

Deep in this delight,

The green of the forest shines

Early this morning.

***

Robin, seed snatcher,

In the garden, eating corn,

Accepting this too.

***

Will you count the leaves

Of the plum tree yet again

Or eat the ripe fruit?

***

Watching a light ray

Caught between glass and my eyes...

All form bends the truth.

***

A divided mind

Swings between pleasure and pain

Never knowing peace.

***

Where is the white swan

With one foot in water and

The other on land?

***

Some branches touch earth

While others reach for the sky;

All join at the root.

***

The chimes are dancing,

Moving on this morning's breeze...

Sounds of harmony.

***

Everywhere I look,

I see your shining essence.

Oh, Glorious One!

***

Another rain day

Fills springs to overflowing

And feeds the good earth.

***

See the Morning Star,

Rising in the eastern sky

Awaken in Light.

***

Black cherry blossoms

Carried by the midday breeze,

Petals everywhere.

***

Over blue waters,

We witness the dreamer dream

From the eagle's eye.

***

Just for this moment,

I surrender all desire

And live in the Light.

***

Bald Eagle spirit,

Do you see the vision now,

Gliding with the wind?

***

To seek common ground

Is to see one another

As we see ourselves.

***

Waves of surging seas

Sound across the Universe.

Music of the spheres.

***

No jewel can compare...

Even the stars disappear

In light of such Love.

***

What a perfect day

To wake up and breathe. Sweet breeze,

Alive with wonder!

***

The quest for wisdom

Is a noble, yet humbling,

Soul experience.

***

Gathering in Truth -

The meeting of clouds parting

And Light arising.

***

Offering homage,

The faithful traveler goes

Ever inward Home.

***

Oh, Children of time,

Loved by God in all His Grace,

Guided by His Light!

***

Truth beckons each child

Beyond all pathways, merging

His sight with God's Light.

***

Single-pointed sight

Ends the swinging of the dream

And opens the Heart.

***

Playing with the wind,

A leaf drops in rushing stream;

Now floating away.

***

Weaving lines of words,

Folding hands or waving hands...

It is all the same.

***

Willows, bending low,

While the wind bellows and blows

Across the backyard.

***

Light layer of snow

Covers the Zen garden path

And Buddha fountain.

***