Don't Tell

The very first time we met was in my Uncle Tony's little convenience store in Bernalillo when I was 7 and you were 5. I had walked into the store, hoping that Uncle Tony would give me some free penny candy. His brother, my Uncle Ray, winked at me and gave me about five pieces of hard candy from a small wooden barrel.You came in there with a lady who I assumed was your mom. You asked her to buy you some candy. She gave you a look that even scared me. Your lips quivered as were about to cry when you saw me. I fiddled with the candy in my hand. A tear slid down your cheek. When your mom was getting the money out of her purse to pay for what she bought, I walked and stood next to you. I followed Uncle Ray's example and I winked at you as I put one of my candies in your hand and whispered, "Don't tell."

God Has No Divine Plan

A friend in Uganda, wrote to me and told me that God has a vision for me and that I should keep praying and seeking God.

This is my response:

God talks to me every day. 

We laugh together often 

throughout each day. 

She blooms flowers for me. 

She sweetens our oranges 

and brings chirping birds to our birdfeeders. 

She dances across the sky at dawn, 

painting the sky orange, pink, and purple. 

She smiles at me at night 

in the sliver of the moon. 

She reminds me that I am a blessing 

and She works through me 

to end the suffering 

and heal the people who come to me. 

She teases me, 

reminding me not to take myself 

or life 

too seriously. 

She reminds me 

She talks to everyone's heart, 

Inspiring them to share love 

with all Her creatures. 

God also laughs 

when She hears people insist 

that She is 

a male. 

When I had my first heart attack, 

I asked God, 

“Why didn't I die? 

Do you have a plan for me? 

What is my purpose?” 

She laughed and said, 

"Mushroom, You delight me. 

I have no plan 

or purpose 

for you 

or anyone. 

Why would I need that? 

I created you out of love. 

I want you to be the best you 

you can be.

And you choose your way. 

I will help you 

because I love you. 

I have no divine plan 

for you 

or anyone. 

Does that make you nervous 

or do you see the freedom 

I have gifted you?

Continue to be 

the delight 

that you are. 

That is why 

I created you."

Santy Claws

 We all love Xmas trees, especially Santy Claws.

Click on "Go to this Sway" to hear me read my Xmas poem. Scroll down below the photo and click on the tiny diamond arrow to listen. 

Santy Claws

Go to this Sway

Origin of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

 Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer was created by a copy editor working for the Montgomery Ward department store in 1939. I recorded the story.

Click on the link to hear me read the story to you:

https://sway.office.com/j7cRBDfmhd7PKvHW?ref=Link

Dare To Be Uniquely You

 By Mushroom Montoya

Why do we succumb to conformity
Wrapping a muzzle on our creativity,
On our ability to be beautiful
In our own unique way?

It has always been those who dare
To be the odd ones
Ridiculed, teased, and sometimes beaten
For daring to be
Their own true selves

Who, in doing so,
Crack open Freedom’s door
A little wider
Stretching what is acceptable
Proper, and perhaps just OK
For everyone else.

Dare to be who and what you are
Without conformity’s cloak
Choking the beauty
That you are.

Don't Be Late!

Click This to listen to the poem
Don’t Be Late!

By Mushroom Montoya

I’m running late,
For a date of our own making,
Creating a turbulence
In my mind,

While continually twisting a knot
In my gut
For what?
               I

                    don’t

                                  know. 

Both my hands and all of my feet are
Desperately trying to catch up with my eyes
Who zoom from one “must do now”
To the “Oh my god, I need to do that first.”

 

So terribly hectic I go
That I miss out on the natural flow
Of my own existence.

I lunge ahead

Into an imaginary “next”,
Whirling me out of my ability to focus
On the beauty all around me.
As I rush to get the next thing done.

And then I feel exhausted,

                     Over-worked,

                                           And bewildered
Wondering how I’ve lost control.

And then I collapse under our guava tree
Who cradles me under her branches
Telling me I needn’t race
To finish the day,

To get things done,
To run from here to there
Because all that rushing
Only brings me to
Where I am
At this very moment.

“Stop,”
She clatters with her leaves,
“Breathe.

Take this minute.
To delight in my dazzling blooms.

“Your breath is life’s gift to you.
Enjoy it,

                Feel it,

                            Taste it.
Now.

Listen to the cool breeze,
Whispering stories of butterflies,
Flittering from orange blossom to rose bloom
As they escape the beaks of hungry birds.

Be one with the flowers,

Enjoying sex
With the bees,

Frolicking through their petals.

Be grateful for these quiet moments
For they are delicious
When you slow down enough
To savor them.

 

You can only do that
When you shift into the Now

That is ever present,
Just waiting for you
To notice.”

I Am Grateful for Lawn Sprinklers

I am grateful for lawn sprinklers

That lure me

With their mesmerizing buzz

 

Where I am

delightfully snared

by the sight of water droplets,

 

Bending into an arch

and splashing

on the grass,

 

As the sunshine

Dresses them

in shimmering galaxies,

 

While the birds are chirping;

Telling stories

of blustering wind

and gully washer rains,

 

While shrouding

the low drone of car engines,

whizzing along on the freeway.

 

I stand in awe,

Feeling

My heart beating

a tranquil song.