On Buddhism

The observations that underlie Buddhism seem a lot more sound than the interpretations of these observations by some Buddhists.

Dead

Dead in an instant,
yet we may die forever.

Revelation

The average is revealed by the exceptional.

New poems

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The right pattern

Anything can be represented (that is, approximated) with the right pattern.

Repetition

Repetition is the worst value
for traded time.

Relevant (but not exclusive) to current politics

Only masochists admire sadists.

On suffering

Suffering is the weapon
we use against oblivion.

New poems

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The road (Akhmatova)

How short the road has become
That once appeared the longest road of all.

Anna Akhmatova

Sensation

Sensation is a limitation
that may guide us to infinity.

On identity

Identity is incompatible with freedom.

New poems

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People

It's hard to deal with people
only intermittently intentional.

To win

The world doesn't need everyone
to win.

On knowing

Knowing has value
apart from acting on knowledge:
it is alignment.

New poems

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Are you close (Akhmatova)

I'll never understand it, are you close
To me, or did you simply love me?

Anna Akhmatova, from "Imitation of Annensky"

The fit

The world fits into me
better than I fit into the world.

Whatever you choose (Kunitz)

Whatever you choose to claim
of me is always yours.

Stanley Kunitz, from "Passing Through"

On equality

There are two kinds of equality:
where everyone matters
and where no one does.

More! (Kunitz)

What do I want of my life?
More! More!

Stanley Kunitz, from "Journal For My Daughter"

Interesting things

If more could only focus on and retain information about interesting things, maybe we'd make more things more interesting.

Thin Air Magazine

I received my copy of Thin Air Magazine 22 (NAU), which contains my poem "The Forecast." A very attractive format showcases some, from what I've read so far, unusually strong content.

The unique

We take comfort in the common
but worship the unique.

New poems

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Buddha said (Reps & Senzaki)

Buddha said: "I consider the positions of kings and rulers as that of dust motes. I observe treasures of gold and gems as so many bricks and pebbles. I look upon the finest silken robes as tattered rags. I see myriad worlds of the universe as small seeds of fruit, and the greatest lake in India as a drop of oil on my foot. I perceive the teachings of the world to be the illusion of magicians. I discern the highest conception of emancipation as a golden brocade in a dream, and view the holy path of the illuminated ones as flowers appearing in one's eyes. I see meditation as a pillar of a mountain, Nirvana as a nightmare of daytime. I look upon the judgment of right and wrong as the serpentine dance of a dragon, and the rise and fall of beliefs as but traces left by the four seasons."

Paul Reps & Nyogen Senzaki, eds.,
Zen Flesh, Zen Bones

Decoration

There is very little to essence.
Most everything is decoration.

Summer grilling time again

On culture

Culture is ideas and behaviors.
Some ideas and behaviors are undesirable.
Therefore some culture can be undesirable.

Then leave it (Shih-te)

unable to ponder deeply
and claiming they're immortal
people steal a ton of gold
then leave it all behind

Shih-te, from "48"

On belief

The instant you believe,
you're deceived.

On doubt

Doubt even doubt.

New poems

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Presented Without Comment

"Presented Without Comment" has been accepted for publication in the 2017 print issue of Pirene's Fountain, which will be a themed issue called "Skin Deep" to be released this fall. They previously published my poem "Scoundrels" in their November 2013 online issue, and I'm thrilled to make it into their print volume.

Never

Say no, but never say never.

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One that

Better a dozen sharp sorrows
than one that settles and strangles.

The reason

Things happen for a reason.
And the reason is that things happen.

The clearing (Pollitt)

When it's broken
it's hard not to suspect that life is just
the clearing you happen to stand in the center of.

Katha Pollitt, from "Walking in the Mist"

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Had a visitor today, a male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus).

Life's catalog

Life's catalog is so rich,
its delivery charges so steep.

New poems

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