Contrived: All Over the Place

In the throes
Of the age-old,
“Why me?”
How this affliction
Shifts feelings
Up and down!

One day it’s peace,
Then it’s depression and rage;
What’s on the next page?
Curiosity keeps me going;

But, is this a good time
For curiosity?
Or, should I
Be worried?

But even if worry
Were indicated,
What use
Would that do?

I’m so tired,
I must be making
No sense at all;
Perhaps I’ll see it tomorrow,

Or, maybe something
Will be resolved
And I’ll revise
My assessment of

This latest
Attempt
To summarize
Where my practice
Has been
Or where it’s going,
If it’s going,
Wherever it’s going.

Contribution: Pink Blessings

Deeply concentrated
On spreading pink,
Covering every inch
Of blistered and reddened skin
On this painful but shrinking rash.

Blisters soaking up
The pink balm soon cool;
Message transmitted from skin,
“Ah! That feels so good!”

Then sitting to wait
For the Calamine lotion to dry,
I count breaths
To concentrate the mind.

Peace to the skin,
Peace to the virus;
May both be satisfied
And harmonize,

May they realize:
All desires fulfilled,
All craving extinguished
For all time for all beings.

May all beings find the same,
May the pink balm flow
Liquid comfort to all,
Even the sparrows I see,

As they flit about the balcony,
Searching for food:
May they too find peace,
May they too be free.

May all beings be at peace,
May they be free
May it be so.