January Exchange Complete! Please Enjoy Two Sample Poems

This issue features the work of seven poets with our first contribution from Peaceful Garden Sangha. I have also included a historical poem and a book recommendation: Daughters of Emptiness, compiled and translated by Beata Grant, a book that has brought me great joy. Wisdom Publications, the publisher, includes a sample poem on the website, so I reproduced that as well to encourage people to get a copy. 

Changing up the prompt style, we are featuring two illustrations from a Wake Up Boston facilitator. 

I am still looking to publish some essays or critical writing about Buddhist poetry in the Exchange! Please reach out if that interests you. I cannot guarantee publication. 

Interested visitors may now request back copies of the Exchange via a Google form on the sidebar and in the welcome blog post. 

Sample Poems:

Snow Day Poem

by Mason, of Jewel Heart

there is one who sees me

responds in rhythm

drains drops of dread

kisses my head 

in her bed I pray:

to all beings we can 

and cannot see,

may you find warmth

food 

and home

bitten lips cooling tea 

chocolate teeth

honored heartbeat

bright safe street

the prayer I repeat

and pristine

snow piles respond: 

take care to love this life

so fragile

and needed

I heed the storm.

tucked into my lover’s gaze,

I watch

what is here now

and witness my heart

dissolve my fear

of freezing

----

Since I Learned to Love You

By Jade K., 

after Thay’s

“The Fruit of Awareness is Ripe”.

The pleasure of food doesn’t stick.

Time, the rickety withering wheel, rolls on.

Around me, everyone say it accelerates

but since I learned to love you

even caffeinated

the minutes last longer, more full,

the dew

takes longer

to ripen

and my joy comes

from the Island within.