© 2007
Marcus Cumberlege
Namu Amida Butsu
I place my life in your hands
Coming to terms with myself
On the plane of existence
Namu Amida Butsu
This unbeliever believes
After a night of struggle
The day of victory dawns
Why do I say nembutsu?
What goal do I have in mind?
My pen glides across the page
In answer to your questions
Right view, right speech, right action
The eightfold Aryan path
Without this there is nothing
The universe bites its tusks
Arguments for and against
The poet and his reader
Encountering one another
On laundered sheets of paper
Attempt the impossible!
Knowing you are bound to fail
Feel deep regret for the past!
It is your only asset
I say nembutsu because
It gushes out of my mouth
Unstoppable as water
Bursting its way through a dam
Fucking miserable, happy
Thoughtful, empty-minded
Whatever mood I am in
Those seven syllables come
With absolute assurance
Like the right key in the lock
Opening the doors of prayer
And meditation.
Namu Amida Butsu
As long as I think of someone
Reading these words I am wrong
(A bird in a lost valley…)
Namu Amida Butsu
I move my lips and you’re there
Murmuring words of comfort
With a voice that is my own.
When Marcus Cumberlege dies
And is born in the Pure Land
He will utter nembutsus
Loud enough for you to hear
On the highways of this world
In the comfort of your bed
Namu Amida Butsu
Is the least that can be said
15th December 06
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ekō 114 |
|
© 2007 |
info-at-jikoji.com | ||||
| home |