It's amazing how clear things become, like waking up and realizing you have been asleep.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Homeless Buddha

What would you do
if the world turned its back on you
overnight?

If you had the eyes of Buddha
but no one saw
because you wore the rags
of a homeless man?

Walking down 5th Avenue
Among shiny windows and palm trees
without a care in the world
Smelling of dirty sidewalk.
We should all learn from him
See the beatitude in his smile
the gentile manner of his calm demeanor.

What have we to complain about?
We have the reins in our own hands
we have the world at our feet
possibilities spread out before us like paint samples
There for the taking
if we want them.
This man has nothing
save the tattered clothes on his back
and still he smiles
and we do not.

He can look into the eyes of a stranger
and offer recognition
in passing
and we turn away as if we do not see each other.

We should be ashamed of ourselves.

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