I bought a treadmill.
What would Thây say?
Would he smile and shake his head
or look bemused the way he looked
that day I waited in line
to ask a question that did not need
answering?
The birds are busy and my shoe is broken
and my foot turns out and in
to awkward positions. My unfocused eyes
make nausea of the green world around me.
Oh dappled light, what would Thây say?
Walk outside!
Thây who is struggling to sit upright,
is recovering from the stroke,
which left him paralysed and comatose;
Oh Venerable One
who took three months to drink
a quarter cup of tea,
who watched the full moon patiently
like when he was sixteen,
and Têt promised endless treats
of moon cakes and dragon dance
and calligraphic Buddha chants.
Oh Patient Impermanent One,
these broken steps are made for you;
these perfect steps I make for you
make me free.
© Shaista Tayabali, 2015
first image prompt via Magpie Tales
What would Thây say?
Would he smile and shake his head
or look bemused the way he looked
that day I waited in line
to ask a question that did not need
answering?
The birds are busy and my shoe is broken
and my foot turns out and in
to awkward positions. My unfocused eyes
make nausea of the green world around me.
Oh dappled light, what would Thây say?
Walk outside!
Thây who is struggling to sit upright,
is recovering from the stroke,
which left him paralysed and comatose;
Oh Venerable One
who took three months to drink
a quarter cup of tea,
who watched the full moon patiently
like when he was sixteen,
and Têt promised endless treats
of moon cakes and dragon dance
and calligraphic Buddha chants.
Oh Patient Impermanent One,
these broken steps are made for you;
these perfect steps I make for you
make me free.
first image prompt via Magpie Tales
full of meaning these peaceful words
ReplyDeleteA very nice meditation TY.
ReplyDeletethoughtful for sure. enjoyable to think about
ReplyDeleteOh Shaista, how beautiful! And did you see the wisdom eye in that green old tree? wonderful!!!! Yes, Thay would say go outside, even if the green is nauseous......maybe sit on a bench so the world will settle and just bask in the air and the coming of spring. I love it that you met Thay, actually spoke with him. I still have the small rocks the children painted, over on my altar-ledge where my treasures are lined up."These perfect steps I make for you." I love it. And you, radiant one.
ReplyDeleteYour site is amazing,thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteSo much thoughtfulness in this piece!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, dear friend...
ReplyDeleteThis was truly lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem, it's certainly made me feel very contemplative!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Shaista!
ReplyDeleteHow glorious to read this again. This poem is a prayer, a chant, a blessing. It fills the heart.
ReplyDelete