Jewels of July,

each one, perfect orbs

of rain and sunlight

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

Although the next official month of Small Stones starts again in July, I hope to drop a few stones here and there.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments.
They are always appreciated.

Aware that January is coming to a close, we walk in the snow

you, focusing on the rabbit smells

and I reflecting on what it means to 

be here.

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

At first I heard you,

not right away,

I wasn't paying enough

attention to your

 insistent calls to be fed

on this coldest day.

from a dear friend's table,

a christmas time exchange,

I wait with you
 to

behold your crimson glory

You sleep,and hold 

your world intact,

phantom shadows

in the hall

play with you and

invite your slumber

Clever, black scavenger
calls out to me,
deftly picking up french fries
in the parking lot.


[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

Noticing beauty allows me to go inside.


[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

steam rises, the smell of crisp cotton

smoothing out the wrinkles

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

Winter

A winter walk,

just me and

 the sound of the Nuthatch.

Snow falling

snow falling softly, all morning, all quiet

all white

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

The sense of touch,

 a wonderful thing

to contemplate.

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

As I draw the shape of your eye,

tracing the contours, finding the shadows,

I come to know you.

Inhale....exhale....inhale....exhale.....inhale.....exhale.....inhale.....



[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

The response

Your ears fold back and down, 

eyes close

 gently swishing tail,

responding to kindness.

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

The invitation

Washing dishes in a patch of sunlight,

 halos of light invite me to look.

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

The assignment...

For this month of January I pay attention.
I pay attention to one small thing each day.
Each small thing a stone.
Collecting each one until there are a river of stones.
A river of small notices to be shared...with you.

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

I wash my hands and feel the cool clean water 

as it cleanses my skin,

sounding like a brook if I let it.

Sparkling droplets catching the light, fresh.

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]

Each day my morning beverage is poured into this cup.

Smooth vessel, slightly bumpy, warm to the touch.

[Note: a river of stones involves writing a small stone every day during the month of January 2011. "What is a small stone? A small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention."]