Buddhism & biodiversity: woods, meadows & ancient ways

POETRY

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A place for poems

Members: 39
Latest Activity: Aug 22

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WELCOME

This is a group in which to post poetry that you have written yourself. It may be long or short, polished or rough, a celebration or an experiment. It is not a competition, more a place where we can share and appreciate and learn from each other and discuss each other's poems.

The poems are grouped into "discussions". Each discussion may be a theme or a poetry form. Each discussion can grow into a little collection. Add individual poems as "Comments" within the appropriate section. You can also add remarks as comments too. If there is no appropriate section, start a new one. If you feel clumsy doing this, don't worry - the site moderator will tidy it up later. Poems added should be broadly connected with the theme title of the discussion, but do not have to relate directly to other poems already posted.

Writing poetry can be everything from a light amusement through to a deep spiritual practice. Enjoy.

Discussion Forum

Body Armour

Started by Dayamay Dunsby Aug 22. 0 Replies 1 Like

A frightened child hides behind this galvanized mask.Vulnerability obscured by it's own shadow.But not extinguished.Will he ever see the light of day?Namo Amida Bu!Continue

HAIKU

Started by David Brazier. Last reply by Nando May 27. 26 Replies 0 Likes

This is a place for posting haiku.A haiku is a 17 syllable poem, generally consisting of three lines with 5-7-5 syllables respectively. Normally the final line gives a twist or "turn" to the meaning or makes a reference to the season of the year. Traditionally, in Japan, haiku were often about the moon, clouds, cherry blossom, the wonders of nature, especially anything beautiful yet…Continue

BHAKTI

Started by David Brazier. Last reply by Juline Smit May 4. 7 Replies 0 Likes

This can be a place to add bhakti poems.Continue

OLD GRANITE

Started by David Brazier Apr 30. 0 Replies 4 Likes

Flowers under foot, clouds in the sky. Here, in between, I savour solitude. They are busy with their business, while I am merely watching, listening, with nothing to wait for.There is a weighty stillness inside of meas of a hunk of old granitein the midst of a torrent -all around, the rush of butterflies and bees about their ceaseless work.Do not ask, Who is this old fool? for, even if I knew the answer, it would make no difference.Continue

HIMALAYA GLEAMING

Started by David Brazier. Last reply by David Brazier Apr 11. 3 Replies 1 Like

The Himalaya gleamingcan be seen from Katmanduthe smog has cleared away -it’s gone,the dust, the grime, the humans too,it’s all gone quiet on the streetthe dogs are asleep in the sunthat shines in the clear air abovenow the cars and planes have gone.It is a wonderful sight to seebut what shall become of us?We were the ones who made the messby all our business and fuss,and now we’re all under house arrestNature can ease her pain,but will we learn and will we changeor will it have been in…Continue

Fridge Haiku

Started by Dayamay Dunsby Nov 12, 2019. 0 Replies 1 Like

We had a little Haiku challenge on the fridge notice board at the Temple recently. Here are mine.Black and golden sky.Night conceals the clouds for now.No trace of Summer.If birth causes death,Samsara is eternal.To live is to die.Namo Amida Bu( ;Continue

ADDING UP THE BONES

Started by David Brazier Oct 21, 2019. 0 Replies 0 Likes

A finger pointing at the sky.Do you know the reason why?Do you want to live or die?Do you hear the people cry?When they come to sing “Hallelujah!”,riding in the voodoo Sin Street car,waves come crashing on the harbour bar,you’ll be swinging on the Polar Star.Clouds unfolding bring the winter rain,while you pay and work and pay againfor a ticket on the one way trainto the sweet land where you can remain.See, the angel standing by the doorputs down the sword and will make war no more;there’s a…Continue

CHRONIC PAIN

Started by David Brazier. Last reply by David Brazier Jun 25, 2019. 6 Replies 1 Like

Waking from drug sleep tangled night,sahara mind extending to incognitaripples round a fire still burningat the back behind the ears;flames curl over the scalp,here and there explodingpointlessly, above my eyeor inside the ear.My teeth feel as if they are about to depart.I do not have the energy to weep.A cup of tea, English solace,and caresses from the cat.Is it time to take another pill yet?I string my lament on a chain of prayer,some steadinessmid of the sulphurous storm,no end in sight.Continue

LOVE

Started by David Brazier. Last reply by David Brazier Mar 25, 2019. 11 Replies 2 Likes

A place for poems that are love poems or poems about love.Continue

Dance of Love

Started by Dayamay Dunsby Jan 6, 2019. 0 Replies 4 Likes

A Karmic embraceSharing timeMoving throughPressing on.Falling downTaking stockA kindred waltzA gentle rock.No retreatNo regretsA load of follyA touch of Grace.The fine and coarseA ragged edgeBroken heartsAnd settled faith.Continue

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Comment by Dayamay Dunsby on April 18, 2019 at 10:04: The darkness subsides.
And the moon remains.
A luminous shadow.

Namo Amida Bu

Comment by David Brazier on April 17, 2019 at 18:37: Tao, you old Yin and Yang,
what have you made for dinner?
The wind is in the north today,
the full moon’s a winner,
but it takes no more
than a field of clay
to break the back of a sinner.

Comment by Dayamay Dunsby on April 17, 2019 at 8:00: The Moon glows pink in the morning mist.

Out of reach.

Night lifts.

Dream persists.

Namo Amida Bu.

Comment by Désirée Verstraete on March 5, 2019 at 10:03: INSIDE THIS CLAY JUG
A POEM BY KABIR, TRANSLATION BY ROBERT BLY

Inside this clay jug
there are canyons and
pine mountains,
and the maker of canyons
and pine mountains!

All seven oceans are inside,
and hundreds of millions of stars.

The acid that tests gold is here,
and the one who judges jewels.

And the music
that comes from the strings
that no one touches,
and the source of all water.

If you want the truth, I will tell you the truth:
Friend, listen: the God whom I love is inside.

Comment by Cahya Maitri Avalokita on October 12, 2018 at 13:41: Darkness every which way,
But not because the streetlamps
Are out in town;
Heedless feet they stray --
Despite the path clearly laid,
The blinds are down;
Shutters closed to the light
Cast the world into shadow
And none can see;
Amitabha rising,
Buddha of Pure Land Bliss,
What fools are we?

Compassion every which way,
Though not of our deserving,
Shines on us;
Takes those feet that stray,
And sets them on that path
Called Joy and Trust;
Shutters are swung open,
Light so dazzling bright floods in,
The shadows flee;
Amitabha rising,
Buddha of Pure Land Bliss,
How blessed are we?

Namo Amitabha!

Comment by Dayamay Dunsby on April 7, 2018 at 13:58: Assume nothing!
Think deeply about everything.
Even the key turning in the door that stands between you and...

Brace yourself for something else...
Anything.
Exert laziness and just give up.
Find the lowest point and submit.
Assume nothing!!

Namo Amida Bu( ;

Comment by Carol English on January 16, 2018 at 13:25: Masketeer and Aphrodite
Undercover membership
Each takes a turn and turns a corner
Sends the other silly quips

Send each other lies and secrets
Secret truths that masks belie
Undercover sensual boundaries
Will love live or will it die?

Will love live and serve its purpose?
Skin to skin the promise lurks
Nose to nose and lips to eyelids
Teasing secrets, fireworks?

Teasing secrets, fireworks
Can Masketeer catch Aphrodite?
Or will she hide while he pursues her
A fantasy that burns out brightly?

Can Masketeer catch Aphrodite
Will she wear her golden crown?
Will she run when he pursues her
Like the tarot, upside down?

Like the hanged man, upside down
Oh, will he fall, then, when her sees her
In robes of yellow, green and crimson
Is he fool or can he please her?

Is he fool or can he please her?—
For she’ll be more than conjured sylph
No thing of wings and gauze and satin
But instead her real self

Each thing of flesh and blood is mixed with
dreams and depths and coloured birds
Potters of each life are forming
The e’s of all ‘lectronic words.

The potters of each life are forming
Dreams from fields of soil unplowed
Those odd primordial exophagic
stanzas, coloured, burst from cloud

Comment by Andrew on April 6, 2017 at 23:09: Strangers passing in the dark fleeting glances.
Not knowing or caring about the others path
Where will it take them who pass without a word
Not a kind thought or care for the other as they glance
Not this for me I who must acknowledge who must care

Comment by Kim Terrell on March 25, 2017 at 8:38: Flying South

Time flying by me
thoughts nosily flocking south
headed to new worlds.

Comment by Andrew Ralph Cheffings on March 3, 2017 at 15:43: Gardens

A garden is not a plan on paper,

It is not moving rocks, water and earth around;

It is gardening,

And everything gardens.