Tag Archives: Buddhist

POEM: Falling for It — Coming Down to Munch Time, “The Scream”

There is a Buddhist metaphor for life, that we are in a freefall from a cliff, and that learning to relax during this freefall is the key to life. I am not one much attracted rollercoasters and the like, but … Continue reading

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POEM: Awe Consuming Grief

This poem is about grief as a universal facet of the human condition. This poem is inspired by a Buddhist parable. Awe Consuming Grief She suffered In this whirled Of sow much grief Awe consuming She wanted To call upon … Continue reading

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POEM: Judgment Call

I recently heard someone describe the Buddhist concept of enlightenment as “lightening up.” I have long been a fan of the Buddhist practice of “nonseriousness.” This has helped me in my perpetual vacillation between being the most serious person in … Continue reading

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POEM: Believe Ability

As you may know, I am a convicted felon, for refusing to register for the military draft, way back in the 1980’s when draft registration was reinstituted. I found such a mandate offensive to my conscience and world peace. I … Continue reading

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POEM: Joining That Mystical Union

Having Evolved Too keep Every last won Of this sophisticated specious Under opposable thumbs Like a perch In a stream of consciousness Executing my porpoise The best I can do A thwart on the phase of humanity This avowing That … Continue reading

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POEM: Succor Punch: Owed to Water

Water is Liquid liveliness On the surface So abundant Yet its unique Properties for gotten Pre-sumptuously owin’ The establishment Of hour get-up and go Taken For granite In difference to animating schemas And listless graces Making passable Setting in motion … Continue reading

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POEM: The Taoist Dowager

The Taoist dowager Bends gently to that before her Inclined to bless Those below Indivisible To the high and mighty Wholly touched Braille beyond the see Maid of tender harmonies Composed Of one, a chord The maladies of life joyfully … Continue reading

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POEM: A Full Life

Charlie’s life was full Every available space laden to wrest His productivity well suited To his interests Taxidermy and robotics This short poem offers a challenge to what it means to have a full life in modern Western civilization, where … Continue reading

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POEM: Not The Usual Joke

A Hindu A Muslim A Christian And a Jew Walk into a bar And the bartender says Greetings, Mr. Gandhi Let me guess You don’t want “the usual” This short poem takes the format of a common joke. However, one … Continue reading

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POEM: Seriously?!

The Zen master was nearly Finished with his instruction When he got to non-seriousness I was greatly relieved For I was taking nothing He was saying Seriously This short poem gets at one of the great paradoxes of enlightened spirituality: … Continue reading

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POEM: Less Than Eternal Question

The Rev. Medley Had risen To the highest position He would ever It was only down from there An awe too common Occupational hazard Of moderate irony And accumulating lessens Just falling short Of making one cross Facing that less … Continue reading

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POEM: I Will Join The One, There is No Other

Alone Where is God in that? Does salvation lie in community? Wherever two or more gather In character At present will be God Therefore, I will join the one One who was left behind The one who’s going places no … Continue reading

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POEM: Treatment…Like…Sewage

Treatment…Like…Sewage I lived in Libertarianville They said “If you want sewage treatment, Just go to some place that has it.” So I did Many don’t live there long I find discussing politics with self-professed Libertarians a vexing experience.  Typically, we … Continue reading

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POEM: Awkward Phase

I often find myself stuck in that awkward time between birth and death My Dad is fond of saying, “The only constant is change.”  Life is dynamic.  Buddhism teaches that no thing is permanent in itself; but rather that every … Continue reading

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POEM: Sound of One Hand Clapping

What is the sound of one hand clapping? For many, it is a slap of the forehead in exasperation For some, it is a slap in the face of the asker Could someone lend a hand on this one Without … Continue reading

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