Friday, January 16, 2009

Pilgrims

I asked an ancient pilgrim by the river
"Why do you wait here every day
not knowing when the ferry's due?"
He said
"How am I different from you?"

I asked the hatchling albatross
"How do you dare to launch yourself across
the vast and stormy ocean
not knowing what awaits you on the other side?"
She said
"How am I different from you?"

I woke a sleeping seed to ask
"Will you sprout, not knowing
if there will be enough rain for your roots
and sun for your leaves?"
It said
"How am I different from you?"

I had a map but it vanished
leaving an enigmatic smile in my hands.
There were no signposts
and the albatross never came back
though evening was falling.
The old man had gone on ahead.
The seed in my pocket whispered "Put me back
and have courage."


Collection available! Knocking from Inside

14 comments:

Devil Mood said...

This is truly beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Really lovely and thought-provoking :)

I can see the web of Tao in it.

Ya Haqq!

Rosey said...

This is just lovely.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful piece you have created here. I'm so glad I dropped by.

Rinkly Rimes said...

I enjoyed the repetition which added to the element of chant.

Tumblewords: said...

I love the unknowing of this, the forging ahead and the pilgrimage of life. Excellent!

latree said...

you just have to deal whatever comes to you... :)
wonderful

GreenishLady said...

So beautiful. Thank you.

Jane Doe said...

A beautiful, inspiring poem.

Anonymous said...

I hear the truth in this. Beautiful.

Linda Jacobs said...

I love this line:

I had a map but it vanished
leaving an enigmatic smile in my hands.

Great parable!

Ruth said...

I LOVE this.

anno said...

oh, yes, these lines spoke to me, too: I had a map but it vanished/leaving an engimatic smile in my hands. Gorgeous poem.

floreta said...

this is like a folk tale. i really love the last lines: put me back and have courage. :)