Sunday Poem: Buddhist Chronicles 6
BUDDHIST CHRONICLES
6
Suddhodana’s Dilemma
The king sits in council
with his ministers. His heir
has vanished,
choosing the ascetic’s empty bowl
over the imperial crown.
Seven sages had predicted this
the day Siddhartha was born.
His would be a destiny of choice:
Emperor
or Enlightened One.
The king tried
to keep his heir at home. He buried
the writhing of the flesh
under garments of gold.
Ascetics were plentiful as leaves.
He had only one first-born son.
Now he wrinkles the imperial forehead.
Turns brusquely to his chief minister,
orders Prince Nanda to be brought
to the council chamber.
……………………………………………………….
As always, I’d love to hear your poems, as well as your thoughts, feelings and insights on Poetry Sunday.
The rhythm of poetry is the rhythm of breath and heartbeat. Poems connect us across the chasms of history, geography, language and culture to the essence of what’s in our hearts.
Siddhartha’s story, and that of the people and places that he loved, unfolded centuries ago. Yet the essential truth of his experience is also our own…
Let’s raise our voices in this communion of poetry together.
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I always wondered about the womenfolk and children left behind in these leaving-to-seek-enlightenment situations. It never occurred to me to think about the implications for the larger society/kingdom, but of course the departure has effects beyond just the family. Thank you for providing this vantage point.
Yes, seekers-of-enlightenment turn many lives upside down when they stagger off in search of that elusive beast. (I just had a vision of Monty Python’s quest for the Holy Grail! :-)) Thanks for your comment, Amna.
If/when you feel moved to, I’d love to hear one of your poems here! :-)
Hiro Boga´s last post … Sunday Poem: Buddhist Chronicles 6
I wonder if anyone in the royal council
reminded the King of the grand fortune
that his majestic loins yielded a man
able to choose between Imperial Reigning
and Enlightenment.
How many fathers have had to, instead,
surrender their sons to war, poverty or disease?
And without the cushy-comfort of an encircling
group of ministers clad in priestly robes.
Perspective is everything. This dilemma,
Your Majesty, is called win-win.
It is a celestial credit to the care and love
with which you raised way-showing Siddhartha.
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Erika, as always, I love your perspective, and cherish your poem. Thanks so much for joining in the song.
Hiro Boga´s last post … Traveling Teeth Follow Rumors of Home…
Beautiful, this is an amazing series.
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Thank you! I’m glad this sequence of poems speaks to you. It’s an interesting exploration for me…
Hiro Boga´s last post … Traveling Teeth Follow Rumors of Home…