Why Meditate?

You sit down on the cushion

hoping to find a temple

bell hanging in your chest.

Snow is on the deck

outside your window.

The furnace blows.

In the powder yard there are

so many branches, sticks, twigs

you haven’t raked up.

Deep Breath In.

Release.

In.

Release.

Here come the gunmen

crashing into the concert hall

opening fire.

Here drone the pundits pointing fingers

consulting experts who say

Breathe In.

Release.

In. Release

the madness unleashed,

fifty toothsome rabid dogs with spiked collars

venomous fangs, red stormy eyes

barking at you about your

childhood, all the shitty things you did and didn’t do.

Mom’s getting old now and still thinks

she runs you, you

really blew up at her on the phone yesterday

when she wouldn’t stop questioning your job,

are you making enough money,

when are you going to

Breathe in.

Release.

In. Re-

crease! Those new dress pants

are upstairs on the floor,

they’re gonna get ruined if you let ‘em

sit there like that,

maybe you should get up and fix ‘em.

You can fix ‘em if you do it mindfully, just

okay, Breathe in as you stand up,

Release as you up the stairs.

Very. Slow and gradual

hold out the hanger,

slip the pant legs through

perfect lines folded on the creases,

find the perfect balance

so they won’t fall out.

Downstairs the cushion knows

you’re gone.

Upstairs, you’re all upstairs

as you take slow, mindful steps and your toes

knock over the glass of water

you left two days ago

sitting by the door to bring downstairs

Haha, idiot, but

this is just like all those Zen stories

of the monks who felt their minds opening and then

WHAM! they tripped on a rock

carrying the bucket of water,

and suddenly they got enlightenment

so huuuuuhhh, maybe

this is it.

This is it as you

Breathe in, find a towel

Release, pat the water of the floor.

Feel the cold stain rise to your fingers.

Breathe in.

Yes this is it.

Release.

Ha ha.

This is it.

I’ve done it!

But.

You’ve been taken.

There’s no you.

And the AK-47s are still being bought and sold

and fired through heads.

Some heads saying, “Insha’Allah”

others screaming, “God No!”

others holding thoughts of their loved ones

as they bravely raise their hands answering

“Yes, I am a Christian,”

“Yes, I am a Jew,”

“Kill me,”

and where are you

now?

Somewhere in the hallway,

now through the kitchen,

back to the living room,

back down on the cushion

to finish your half-hour,

and I hope you learned something

to benefit all beings.

I hope you

found some

peace.