Sunfire Journey
By Michael Smith
Alone we come
Down the chute,
A first breath shout of victory.
No name, no words, no separation.
Silence…
Just being, pure being.
Alone we live.
A learned sojourn
if destiny is manifest.
Or just mostly blind, deaf and tongueless
suffering in separation.
But always blessed with the song of home,
like an odd hum of bees in the background,
no matter what, no matter what.
Alone we leave.
Perhaps some demons vanquished
the detritus of our battle
now smoldering in SunFire,
preparing us to drop away from our loyal body
our fingers opening to lessen the clinging,
to return to the silence from whence we came,
still confused and fearful
but at last beginning to hum with the bees
and find a smile amidst it all;
especially to sweetly kiss Death’s lips
in gratitude.
Can we smile, with an unconditional Yes.
Michael Smith
Born 1943
At age 25 I graduated medical school and had begun my internship in internal medicine at Stanford University hospital. I had escaped from my village of NYC and emigrated to California. A dream come true. I was really happy.
To me, then, I would say: pursue with endless determination the inarticulate yearning of your heart’s desire for authenticity and freedom.
Karen Hunt - April 18, 2024 @ 12:24 pm
“Alone we come… Alone we live… Alone we leave. Perhaps some demons vanquished… ” Amen to that. The painting beautifully captures the “going toward the light” those who refuse the invitation tell us about. Thank you.
Mardith - April 10, 2024 @ 12:28 am
Michael, both the poem and the painting are thought-provoking.
J D - April 9, 2024 @ 11:00 pm
Thank you. I have walked away with:
“…our fingers opening to lesson the clinging…”
and
“…and find a smile amidst it all…”
Blessings.
Carl - April 8, 2024 @ 9:10 pm
Walking towards the light my friend, the artist you are, the poet you be!
Mark - April 8, 2024 @ 8:25 am
Your truth spoken
Personal and perhaps universal
painfully beautiful as you walk
beneath the tree canopy
with full heart a healer
and very dear friend.
Thank you my dharma brother!
Daniel Danzig - April 6, 2024 @ 6:30 pm
Very imaginative and thoughtful – such a nice juxtaposition of words and image. Very creative blending of images!
Martina Reaves - April 6, 2024 @ 7:51 am
So moving…a blessing.