Not Enough, A Curious Mind Poem by Aniruddha Pathak

His words came from a deep-set core:
I'd much rather look at a wall
Till I find one of stature tall,
Those I meet seem desert-like dry,
Or too slippery wet well nigh,
Window, nor yet a full-fledged door,
He1 said, no opening at all,
Nor even a tiny li'le pore
Whence to enter their deep within
From where the light of truth comes in,
Nor take close look of inner scene,
And yet, so has it for long been.

Long years later there came a man2
That he was waiting for so long,
With a sword's sharpness who began:
Are ye going to turn along?
Or, should I heck apart my head?
Bodhi1 uttered not a word still,
Staring still at the wall, and dead,
The man with an unconquered chill,
There upon severed his left hand,
A moment more and it's my head.
Then, facing him said, welcome, friend,
At last got I've my jade!
O from deserts of stones,
From mere flesh, blood and bones!

He that must walk the path of truth,
Better be sharp to sever head,
And be a man of notso ruth,
Glad I'd now to oblivion fade.
Not enough is a curious mind,
Nor yet child's play, O truth to find!
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1. Bodhi-dharma1 was one of the prominent disciples of Buddha. He had a unique way to find his true follower who could walk his Path. When he went to China from India, he would always sit facing a wall.
2. Hui-Neng2, in turn became Bodhi-dharma's1 disciple.
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Voices from within | 06.02.15 |