Laughing Buddha

In preparation for another school year we had to go through all of the 07-08 school year art pages and projects and pick our favorites to go in the boys books. In doing that I ran across a poem that Uncle Willie gave me a long time ago that he said reminded him of Sam. He got to be a wonderful part of raising Sam as he spent the first year of his life at the office with us. Anyway in reading it this weekend I thought it was too good not to share.

Laughing Buddha

Laughing Buddha in the sand,
Spade and bucket in your hand,
Newly-minted, wonder-eyed,
Architect of time and tide;

Mischief written on your brow,
Master of the here-and-now,
Free of past and future's taint,
Life the canvas, joy the paint;

Sorcerer of sea and sky,
Innocent of where or why,
Flesh and stone in symmetry-
Wanting nothing but to be;

Offspring of a dream deferred,
Fill your bucket; speak no word!
Hoard your secrets; stop your ears!
Alphabets spell only tears;

You who sit in Eden's shade,
Teasing angels with your spade,
Empty-headed, eyes of blue-
We were once as wise as you;

Infant Buddha, sifting sand,
All creation in your hand,
Where does infant wisdom fly?
Only heaven knows-not I.


Oh, if we could all be the masters of here-and-now, wouldn't life be fun???