Present

So many times I realize I’m not

Present in the moment, my thoughts

Have taken me away from the place I am at

I am neither attentive to this nor that..

**

Sometimes over the past I ruminate

Sometimes about the future I speculate

In either case the moment before me

Escapes my conscious attention completely

**

How many moments have I wasted this way

How many precious experiences have I thrown away

Unborn tomorrow and dead yesterday

Why have I let them interfere with my present in this way?

*

A magical sunset unfolds before me

And I am shaken out of my reverie

I had lost myself in planning for the next day

I consciously tuck that thought away

Reflexively I start reflecting on the day gone by

Then remind myself to observe the golden sky

In this spectacular, awe-inspiring moment

I am finally with all my senses present