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2022
Poems of Death and Rebirth
Every January at WEZC we create short poems to capsulize our legacy in case we die during the coming year. These are sometimes playful, sometimes profound, and always surprise us with their scope and wisdom. Also included are a few favorites by Zen masters of the past.
“Bury me when I die
beneath a wine barrel
in a tavern.
With luck
the cask will leak.”
“A moment ago
So much undone,
Now, all is as it should be -
A mystery.”
“There is no death, but only a return to the Infinite Source, like a wave back to the ocean.
Does a wave remember it’s time as an individual?
Does it work toward becoming the highest and best wave?
Is it always present-centered?
Spiritually evolving?
Or just being a wave.
A drop in the Infinite Ocean of Life?”
“Life began with so much wonder, now in the sunset is the wonder of why. ”
“If I’ve wronged you, I’m truly sorry.
If you’ve wronged me, I’m over it.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
Good night.”
“Leaving no traces
Wind flies across the prairie
Let’s see where it goes!”
“A cat sleeps on my lap
After she wakes
Then I can go.”
“Thank you.”
“Practice does not make perfect. Practice is failure after glorious failure.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?
I waited for a word, for someone to say
Don’t go — I’d miss you if you were gone.”
“A beetle crossed the path today -
And yesterday raced across my armchair
Deep from trance in reading, skin crawls calls away,
What omens met mean greeted in the here or there?
”
“Words words words no more
-after leaving this wordland
only nirvana
”
“when the world seems cold
the light of connection
brings us truly home”
“Will home be peace?
Or are the heavens a mess?
I’ll take the former.”
“Waves lick at my feet
I can recall the roar now
Returning me home”
“Father and mother
Grandmother and grandfather
Happily I join”
“My tastebuds open
Tongue widens and flattens too
Will sweetness follow?”
“All is quiet as the falling snow
Suddenly a branch breaks the silence
And the world is still again.”
“The river flows with gusto
Through the quiet snow gently falling.
this juxtaposition is a life and death.”
“Wanting wanting want
Getting getting getting got
Losing losing lost”
“Where did that child go
She is gone and yet still here
But, not much longer”
“The body will fail
Growing old and withering
And love will go on”
“Snow falls on mountains
Ice on last flowers of spring
After solstice, what?”
“No greater than rain
Testing the joy of dissent
I fall to the ground
”
“The monarch flies around
The yard where it once feasted
On dandelions as a caterpillar.”
Photo: Emelie Moon
USPS mailing address: 10995 SE 362nd Ave, Boring, OR 97009 • email: info@wyeastzencenter.org