Childhood.

xxxxxxxSculpture: LauraJane Zimmer-Reed
x
x
CHILD'S PLAY
X
Eleven years old
and the light in his eyes
dims to black points.
The roundness of his chin
takes on a shimmer
that looks like whiskers.
x
Little ancient boy will never smile,
he's slipped out
the back door of childhood.
x
A Buddhist teacher
at his side whispers,
" You have 84,000 different emotions,
and the three poisons.
Just thoughts.
Don't be distracted."
x
The boy shrugs,
no stranger
to the study of virtue.
x
Break free. Be empty. Go away. Come back.
x
But first
he wants
to run outside
and play in the snow.
x
Simply a thought.
x
x


from: TWO GHOSTS/ poems

BORN ON THE 4TH OF JULY! LUCKY MILO, my Yankee Doodle Dandy, celebrates his 5th HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!