Pileated Gibbon, France, 2016
As you come upon me, I am
seated, almost cross-legged,
with my arms folded; not quite.
As you come upon me, I am
seated, almost cross-legged
with my arms folded. Not quite
the Full Lotus, but very nearly.
As you come upon me, I am
seated, almost cross-legged,
with my arms folded. Not quite
the Full Lotus, but very nearly
in the shape and form of one.
As you come upon me, I am
seated, almost cross-legged,
with my arms folded. Not quite
the Full Lotus, but very nearly
in the shape and form of one
of you spiritual icons: a Buddha.
As you come upon me, I am
seated, almost cross-legged,
with my arms folded. Not quite
the Full Lotus, but very nearly
in the shape and form of one
of your spiritual icons; a Buddha
in fur, with my eyes both open.
As you come upon me, I am
seated, almost cross-legged,
with my arms folded. Not quite
the Full Lotus, but very nearly
in the shape and form of one
of your spiritual icons; a Buddha
in fur, with my eyes both open
and closed, focussed and relaxed.
As you come upon me, I am
seated, almost cross-legged,
with my arms folded. Not quite
the Full Lotus, but very nearly
in the shape and form of one
of your spiritual icons; a Buddha
in fur, with my eyes both open
and closed, focussed and relaxed.
Here I am and, here, I am not.
Gordon Meade
From Zoospeak (Enthusiastic Press, 2020)