The world is full,
overflowing with concern.
People driven into the sea,
earth torn open with jagged mines,
oceans clogged with islands of refuse.
No one dare empty
before the gods of growth
yet thunder beings appear in the sky,
cast lightning into the earth.
I gather myself on the altar within
letting silence overtake me.
The whetstone of the infinite
sharpens the dull mind
to the task at hand –
quiet the hive
and prepare a room
for the guest
who might be coming.
welcome the guest who has already entered the house, and he didn’t use the door – soon he will enter the room.
I so love this poem. Take me from the mind-made world of “concern” to the heart-made world of sacred silence.
I Am On My Way ~ ~ ~
I love the image and movement of the line: “The wet stone of the infinite sharpens the dull mind to the task at hand –”
In the house are many mansions, each mansion has many rooms — the guest entered the host’s welcoming abode a while ago, but arrives at the different mansions and rooms at different times…
“I gather myself on the altar within
letting silence overtake me.
The wet stone of the infinite
sharpens the dull mind”
That is what I was doing, sitting here in silent meditation for a few minutes, trying to sharpen my mind. Then I opened your poem….very timely as always!
“…quiet the hive and prepare a room…”
Excellent image for these days.
And the guest will come.
Perfect for today! Thank you for your vision expressed in this poem.
I feel both the anticipatory fear, and joy of the possible, as you await (and we all await) the arrival of the guest…..just in case, I’ve taken out an insurance policy on the room……;)
Awesome… such resonance, Don.
A very good one, Don. I second David Kyle.
Good one, Don…we all need to prepare the room with gratitude and spirit of welcome for whatever is coming……..free of fear….
Thank you for this dad
To fulfill sharpening of the mind, please re-read this line: (The whetstone of the infinite.” Some read it as “wet stone.” It’s “whetstone” a tool commonly used for sharpening knives. Now, reread the poem. Thank you, Don.
I forgot to say “Thank you” Don, for your beautiful consistent expression of poetic exploration expressed so freely and abundantly with all your brothers & sisters. It is an abundant outpouring! Grateful. db
Catching up, but making room always for the flowing tones of truth, love and light that never casts shadows but takes us beyond the daily routines into the place where silence opens doors and pathways and is welcomed…thanks again Don for your giving spirit❤❤❤🌹