I spent five years in the early/mid 2000’s working at a new age bookstore. While I met some good people during my time there, made some good friends, found many good books and gew-gaws, the bulk of it was spent shaking my head in pained disbelief. A person of my spirituality (zilch) does not belong in such a place but I have to admit I learned a lot about human behavior and got a lot of material. Here is a smidgen from one of my notebooks of the time.
Plastic Personal
Eyes closed
lips pursed intent
the pudgy fingers peck
and pluck
at the bowl of cards
Which one will
fate place in her hands
for her eyes
and heart
to tell her
her mind?
The card says:
Focus
– – – – –
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Wishing wells
and ringing bells
eenie meenie miney moe
pendulum tell me
what I already know:
It Will Happen!
– – – – –
The Psychic
“Do I have any appointments today?”
– – – – –
Wisdumb
$5 for a small, polished
rock scribed with the
word “MONEY” purchased
in the hope that it
will bring the buyer more
of what they throw away
– – – – –
Crystal Clear
Crystals
culled and collected
raped and reaped
shaped and shipped
priced and placed
before eyes that sparkle back
from faces fascinated
by the faceted facade
Now held high and tight
in light for sighs
or hot to heart
like a baby cradled
with mama gooey cooing
over the aura farce force
that courses deep within
the perceiving mind:
A find!
Shiny metal and green paper
or brittle bright plastic
changes sleight of hands
Crunch out to the car
not far with
paper bag a-crinkle
That smile but a wrinkle
across a blank head
wide with wonder
and under fed
Beneath the feet
native earth
No worth
ignored abhorred:
Good lord …
– – – – –
Self-Helpless
One of the least helpful and
oxymoronic items in the universe:
The self-help book.
If the person was capable of learning
through instruction/observation
by themselves
they would not need the book –
thus they do not need the book
nor could they use it if they did.
Self-help books only help two kinds of people:
authors and publishers of self-help books.
– – – – –
For Mother Earth
Q: Do you have any small, round crystals?
A: Round? What color?
Q: Any color – brown, grey, black: whatever. Pea size.
A: Perfectly round? Polished? Do you know the name of the crystal?
Q: They don’t have to be perfect. They can be rough, uneven. Just regular crystals.
A: Pebbles?
Q: Yes, exactly. Like that. I want them for a picture I am making for Mother Earth.
A: No. We don’t have anything like that. Um, have you tried … looking on the ground?
Q: Oh … but, well, I wouldn’t want them to be, you know: dirty.
– – – – –
Epiphany Outside the Discussion
The louder and more adamant the proclamation,
the less educated and garrulous the speaker.
Reminds me of many eye-roll-inducing interactions I had while living in the Republic of Boulder.
I hear you. It is a very, very different way of perceiving things. I can only assume my take seems as monstrous to them.
It’s a real shame that our 3rd eye is shut so tight.
Now…who’s up for some kava tea and chakra cleansing followed by a coffee enema?
Om.
I think you meant “Oy” not “Om” and just now my third eye’s a winkin’: I’ll be right back.