Ripples

Often

we are able to

sustain an outward appearance

of serenity and calm -

or at least of

relatively unruffled

tolerance -

even when

our gut is

churning

with uncertainty and doubt

or

roiling

in reaction to external

disturbances.

But sometimes

the inner ripples

find their way

to the surface

and our demeanor

betrays our inner battles.

The top photo

was cropped from the one

immediately above,

which is a picture of the water

and part of a pier

at Fisherman's Wharf

in Monterey, CA.

Taken 30 December 2011.