All Around

Silent and still

do I sit,

Mother Nature’s

perfect fit.

 

Closing eyes,

I let be

and listen to

the world’s harmony.

 

Over there

a bird sings.

Over here,

the clattering of things.

 

The joyous screams,

the raucous yells;

the rancid stinks,

the delicious smells.

 

Chainsaw roaring,

lawn mower growling;

dog barking,

cat yowling.

 

As I reside

in my calm Zen,

I hear these things

again and again.

 

All around

in the world,

its simple beauty

is unfurled.

 

In this world,

and all around,

I do in

these noises drown.

 

One thing does

keep me here.

That is my breathing

in my ear.

Author's Note

In the practice of Seido Karate, there is a time where one has to sit and nearly close one's eyes. Here one is aware of, but doesn't respond to, the world around. This meditation helps to be fully engaged in life as well as combat.

Yes, this is my practice. :3

Reviews

[Marie Harrison]

I love all of the sounds in this poem.
One of the senses so often ignored
in poetry. Lovely poem.
I'm just now getting into
medition. I love it!