unask

 

peace

There is one thing which, if practiced and developed, leads to letting go, releasing, stilling, calming, higher knowledge, awakening, and to Nirvana. What is that one thing? It is the recollection of peace.

the Buddha

 

 

your smile

You are the fountain of the sun’s light.
I am a willow shadow on the ground.
You make my raggedness silky.

The soul at dawn is like darkened water
that slowly begins to say Thank you, thank you.

Then at sunset, again, Venus gradually
Changes into the moon and then the whole nightsky.

This comes of smiling back
at your smile.

 

Rumi

 

 

swan

the swan will fly at last alone
the world will seem a sideshow then.

when the leaf is taken by the wind
who can say, where it will fall?

when life's short length is ended
no more circumstance, no more attributes.

when Yama, Lord of the Dead, sends his call
the self is helpless, overwhelmed

and then you will know God.

 

Kabir, 1398-1448. Transl. Tom Davis

 

 

dandelion

The Dandelion's pallid tube
Astonishes the Grass,
And Winter instantly becomes
An infinite Alas --

The tube uplifts a signal Bud
And then a shouting Flower, --
The Proclamation of the Suns
That sepulture is o'er.

Emily Dickinson

 

 

each minute the last minute

The fire in leaf and grass
so green it seems
each summer the last summer.

The wind blowing, the leaves
shivering in the sun,
each day the last day.

A red salamander
so cold and so
easy to catch, dreamily

moves his delicate feet
and long tail. I hold
my hand open for him to go.

Each minute the last minute.

 

Denise Levertov

 

 

 

not even the rain

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens; only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

e.e.cummings

 

 

beauty

Beauty crowds me till I die
Beauty mercy have on me
But if I expire today
Let it be in sight of thee --

Emily Dickinson