Shamatha

[Artguy]

Shamatha

Took my place
Bamboo mat
Firm cushion placed
With care on the stone slab

Facing my circular pond
Built with rock from north
Canadian shield

Cool pond water
Circulated from heart
Stone waterfall
Sliding
Trickling
Back to the heart

Lily pads round
And light green
Tiny circle
Duck weed
Carpet water’s surface

Lily wanting sun to open
Fish moving about
Below
The green above
One visits the world of air

Wild roses hang softly
Arched over the pond’s surface

Buddha brass glistens gold
Brush stroke sunlight
Nestled in northern rock

Sit

Legs crossed on the bamboo mat
Large hammer grip hands
Rest cupped on knees
Bent broken back straightens
Shamatha pose
Lidded eyes hang at half
Silent lips parted
Breath flows with
Waterfall rhythm

Flies light on my flesh
Undisturbed

Visions of urban retreat
Gives quiet abiding
The city lives on
The original mind
Also lives on

[iblieve]

Definitely an artistic piece of poetry with each word a master stroke painting the whole picture. This one fits the pen name Artguy.
"C"

[Trevor]

Hi Kurt,

Wonderful poem, I really enjoyed this one. I thought the word choice was excellent. I thought the flow and tempo captured the mood of the gentle precision of meditation. However, I thought you snapped the reader out of their trance with the expository ending.

Visions of urban retreat
Gives quiet abiding
The city lives on
The original mind
Also lives on

Just seemed unnecessary to blatantly tell the reader your whole intention of the poem. The rest of the poem is so subtle but this seemed to jar me out of the poem. Nonetheless, really enjoyed the read, thanks for sharing it.

Trevor