The gods may grant petitions
to endless years of prayer;
not lay too strict conditions;
in that granting, be fair;
but it is not sedition
to think them often cruel,
seeing naught but perdition
in their lessons and schools.
Think of it as remission,
when one’s blessings, like disease,
or shadows of suspicion,
do not fulfill, but tease.
13 OCT 2005
Leave a CommentThe true ascetic does not ask for things
to compensate them for some perceived lack;
and yet, each vow of abstinence weaves strings
of favors that they fancy will attract
the warm benevolence of unseen might,
a glance from some divinity’s kind eye,
although the chance of answer may be slight.
Their reasoning for getting no reply
is that their hearts still crave and are not pure,
despite a lifetime’s sacrifice and pain,
and loneliness not many could endure.
Small wonder that they seem a bit insane;
it makes you wonder, what sort of a god,
when as a loving parent is beseeched
by needy children, fails to give. How odd
that it requires such effort just to reach
and in the darkness, hear that parent’s voice.
How many caring mothers could deny
indulgence of their baby’s whims? What choice
does any doting father have? To lie,
and say, “There’s not enough for you, my dear,”
despite possessing infinite supply,
so much that it will never disappear?
No human parent acts this way. So why
not ask for everything you think you need,
including things that you could live without?
The list won’t be so long the gods can’t read
it, or not have the brains to sort it out.
Ask, cajole, demand, beg, plead and whine;
use all the tools in a child’s repertoire,
A loving universe will think that’s fine,
and likely grant your wishes, and much more.
29 JUN 2005
Leave a CommentIf you would hear the gods gambol and laugh,
their rumbling chuckles echo through the land,
and tickle divine humor, pick a path
based on a well-conceived and thought out plan.
You need not start out on it. Not one bit
of progress is required, so long as all
your fervent hopes and dreams are tied to it
in theory. Say, for instance, in the fall
you’d hoped to fix the house up, rearrange
the furniture, or patch the bathroom tile.
No great ambition, nothing wild or strange;
yet at the gods’ lips, a slow grinning smile
begins to form the moment you believe
the universe and you have found accord,
that fate and karma have dealt you reprieve
against those good deeds done, so long ignored.
With busyness you occupy your mind,
engaging one idea after the next,
until a peaceful moment, when you find
a chance to just relax and to reflect,
and there, under the silence, you can hear
the stifled guffaw of the universe;
then, suddenly, the truth becomes so clear:
you either laugh, as well, or things get worse.
14 JUN 2005
Leave a CommentI’ve asked much from the universe,
expecting, like a child,
that forces outside my control,
untamed, feral and wild,
would take a hand, and mold my life
in ordered, simple ways.
Such is the expectation
of most people, when they pray.
But my petition now has changed;
I listen, more than speak,
and hope for nothing sure, except
reminders where I’m weak.
The universe can bless or curse;
to me, they are the same.
Just tests from different teachers,
with only myself to blame.
Again, I ask the universe
to contemplate my role,
and where required, make changes
that may benefit the whole.
Much more than that, I cannot ask,
nor really, do I need,
except a blessing to move at
a self-determined speed.
04 APR 2004
Leave a CommentEverything that draws breath will some day stop;
No eternal life past the here and now
will cause anything to live forever.
Each new day brings another to an end.
The sun is not infinitely shining;
like us, it too requires a fuel supply.
There is no take without returning give,
though some fight against this equal exchange –
saying, they were gone too soon (or rather,
they did not get to take nearly enough);
some think they deserve much more than others
(though their payment is the same, maybe less).
If you want to live, seek for balance now;
but remember, no one has exact change.
31 MAR 2003
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