Bardo Poem
Here is the poem (perhaps still in progress) that grew out of my lessons in negative space and my introduction to the buddhist concept of bardo. Thank you, Kennon.
“A Lesson in Negative Space”
You could look at a map
and see the shape of islands.
Or instead,
see the shape of ocean between them.
You could look at a tree
and see the shape of branches.
Or instead,
see the shape of sky between them.
On the map a road
winds its way in and around borders.
On the tree a leaf
begins to turn red.
You could drive on that road—
the one on the map—
and see trees on either side,
their leaves falling.
They cover the pavement—
those red leaves.
You notice they look like puzzle pieces—
or Oklahoma dirt.
In Oklahoma, during dry seasons
the dirt cakes.
You can pick up pieces and leave holes behind—
shallow ones—with still more dirt underneath.
You can pick up anything
and leave it somewhere else.
Or you can carry it in a pocket.
You can save it there.
Or you can take it from your pocket
and give it away:
a piece of Oklahoma dirt—a leaf—
a shape of ocean—or sky.
Or you can take it from your pocket
and put it elsewhere.
Say, in your heart or in your thoughts.
It is a shape. It belongs somewhere.
Or maybe it is shape you forgot to see
when looking at something else.
Say, in looking at an island or a branch—
you missed the ocean or the sky.
The space between the objects
can fool us—
can seem like nothing—
when it is in fact—everything.
Comments
Prior to reading this poem, I had never heard of the bardo concept. I see things differently now; it adds a new dimension. Thanks for this gift.
Guri Sep 6, 12:23 pm
Commenting is closed for this article.
really lovely
never heard it put so well.
i love that.
dj Sep 5, 11:16 am