Incense still lit

 sweet jasmine

invites me to stay.

My body had left

but my heart can’t stray.

Back on the cushion yet

obscured in the clouds

sadness like

 softly falling

 drops of  rain.

So steady and clear

thunder far away

stillness so deep

soon nothing  remains.

As the incense burns out

a smile lights my face.

– Lisa Ernst

Oregon Rain
photography by Lisa Ernst