I see
an osprey kick a gull in the head
& catch a fish
this morning
emerge compassion
for attachment
killing
though thought rare sight
— such common poison!
emptiness
a play of light
arises before me
due to mind
it’s only mind
I must endure
just one more day —
time to love & time to play
I must endure this suffering
for I have caused it
that I see
these imprints strong
self-grasping me
like clouds appear
in a summer sky
seeming so blue
in my sense’s eye
and clouds so white
appear to dance
changing shape
and circumstance
with one another
scenes create
a turkey vulture roosts
while whales tempt fate
to swim so high
up in the sky
it almost makes me
question why
I feel that I can wait
to truly escape
this earthly suffering
finding no one here
who is happier than me
finding no couple who’s truly at peace
seeing no being that moves with ease
observing not one who can work together
without hatred, attachment, greed
should I give up? — No!
I’ll change my aspiration instead
I aspire to be truly happy, a pure example
& although I wish for another by my side
one who would face the changing tide,
I know in another I cannot seek
any joy or peace to be —
for it all must come from me
& although I strive to give & give
in humanness, I can’t let go
of my own unfulfilled hunny-do list —
this deluded partner, lazy, low —
by whose esteem I now accomplish
many of my deeds — instead of
saving for me, a pure aspiration
— enlightenment for all, equally
& although a man in measure
may grant me earthly pleasure
there’s not a time I can recall
unmixed with poison from the fall
an apple sweet, an apple tart
both eventually rot & fall apart
never singular, & still
each wish we’d like it to fulfill
the flavourful & wellness start
healthy gut, balanced, body art
this world is crazy, bizarre, insane —
& if I believe I can lay the blame
with anyone else,
I’ve already failed
so instead I vow to see, in each & every irony
a new teaching, a blessing, gift
in each disturbance, every rift
a chance to see things appear to fall apart
never once one thing
except in name
and with delusions I lay all blame
self-cherishing, self-grasped —
in dependence, same
I am so tired of samsara’s games
I quit
on to Enlightenment, charging forth
with Dharma’s wealth
I’m collecting merit for good health
for long, long years in which to help
all beings do the same
to happiness, I now lay claim
watching the gulls upon the bend
leaves me with these words to send
to you
thank you for your time,
and love, and coming to this place
may your mind be ever blessed
with peace & happiness
The Halfwit Writer 