Between Buddha and Pan

Hi friends,
The beginning of another week brings new opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and think about one’s part in the universe. Especially in these difficult times it is important to balance thoughts of hope and despair, to puzzle over decisions of good and evil — sometimes both. It means walking to the edges of the mystery at the heart of existence. It may help to overhear an imagined talk between Buddha and Pan in the garden, too. Best, Gene.

Between Buddha and Pan
(A conversation overheard while doing tai chi)

A solitary dance of tai chi
across bluestone porch
sun rises over myrtle and begonias
water sings down a chalice fountain
as I move between Buddha and Pan.
He puts down his flute, shifts a cloven foot.
“Over there, you with funny hair ball and droopy ears,
why do you sleep sitting?”
I grasp bird’s tail breathing out.
“We meditate awake for compassion and peace.”
Pan laughs: “Give it up. We’re on a binge
red in tooth and claw
haven’t you heard?”
I wave hands like clouds breathing out.
Buddha smiles craning around me.
“Mind aware does not bleed or bloody.”
I lean into double punch and kick.
“Silly in your saffron dress and naïve ideas
I’ve been around longer than you
as goat and man I know the fullness.”
I sweep into single whip and reach for needle at sea bottom.
Buddha adjusts his robe:
“I honor your double self and sense of suffering.
You keep my seat on the soil.
So I send you calm breath.
May your music lead you to tranquil heart.”
Pan folds hairy legs, puts his flute to his lips and winks:
“Will you ever learn both lessons?”
I lift my hands in a wide arc bringing them down to my dantian.

(Photo of Gene reading at the Globe, Athens GA, by Michelle Castleberry.)