Sunday February 20
*
A glimpse to
whence
the leading light of my long day
slight gentle beautiful determined bright one
has made her way
she firmly alone firmly herself
leaving a silent bright affirmation
beneath the open sky
to quietly remind me
that not so far away
for she I we two
our warm and bright future day
and to her then to say to tell
of the town of Jol
upon hillside steep
above Mekong Da chu
And of the trees in
forests deep and still
where one can hear
the sound of the breath
between each footstep
soft upon the needle strewn earth
and plant spirits can be felt
everywhere in a gentle clamor
to the inner mind
Once long ago in time
of greatest need
water
trickled as it came
from earth
to wash bits of stone
into sight
to speak of ancient times
of an eternity
of earth and fire seas and rain
beneath the trees
that reached into the mountain sky
and a stooped figure bowed low
beside
worn and tired
with the ache of failure
For not yet had been found
that for which she sought
though endless days and nights had passed
in search for the remedy
for those with that terrible illness
where the very body
turns against itself
as to consume it's very substance
leaving naught but agonizing pain
the darkness to descend
upon the trees and the prostrate form
slumped there
in sleep
the most profound prayer
that humans know
to go as far
for the benefit of beings
as one can go
before the legs fail
and sight blurs
Plant beings to crowd about
their voices in wondrous
harmony rising and ebbing
above running water
as the stars brilliant light
flickered among the trees
glowing in the moonlight
that here was strangely
brighter and tinged with blue
for Bhaisajyaguru Sangye Menla
medicine buddha had come
he to request their aid
long their council
until finally one by one
the voices faded
and Songrong alone remained
then it's agreed the spirit said
I will help this time
luminous one
The earth to warm
with rising day
and beside the hand of sleeping one
a form pushed above the needles
mushroom was it
to be found there
upon the moment of her waking
and a voice clear and plain
spoke into her mind
I will help this time
To this day the Songrong grows
near Jol beside Mekong Da chu
it to be gathered here
to be carried to places far
and across the sea
to those that cling to life
even in places with cold tile floors
blinking lights
and sterile glass
it to quietly work
balance to return
it's gentle mantra
always the same
I will help this time
A quiet patient time apart
even when not seen
still gentle heart's vision
And so, we share this time together
slight gentle one
as we rest easy
as our plan grows
Lotus blossoms rest
upon the window sill
and so we wait
two as one
we our effort
real and lasting
slight gentle
beautiful one
February 16
* courtesy of A Luminous Diamond (Bright) Crystal Show productions.
reference material for the poem is courtesy of the Footprint Tibet handbook by Gyurme Dorje.