The Circular Dance of Death and Birth

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RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

0 posted 2002-12-02 09:55 AM

After three days the shrill chants cease.
Cleansed and bound, vacuous vessel, the
corpse of the commoner shouldered by the
monked procession to the charnel grounds.

Eremite embryo how could I know?
    My eyes, my lips, even my ears sealed.
    No room in the womb for the luxury of
    guilt, but an ethereal light, blood,
    it's blue lines and glowing love felt.

Unwrapped the first cut's gash is to the
back. Hatchets and cleavers of the body
breakers work precisely. Flesh is chunked,
organs pieced, bones mashed, mixed with barley.

Dull and distant awe inspiring vibrations,
    weightless, unknowingly dependent. Once we
    cried so hard our world shook and the calm
    and peace of sleep was it's own delight.

The rolling drone of the ten foot horn,
it's echo, calls the vultures. Swelling
and circling Dakinis, Tibetan angels.
Juniper incense summon the sky dancers.

My space grew small and filled with noise,
    all convulsed and I fled towards the walls.
    Booms and clangs were mixed with kinder
    strains. I felt safer in the quiet lulls.

One bird whorls then all flap towards the feast.
Purple robed chorus, a human thighbone flute,
it's pipe, the sutras background to the hopping
squabbled feed at the flat shale platform. Three
courses, bone, organs, flesh. All must go for
the soul's assured ascent.

I rode the warm flood to the cold and
    light where all was sharp and angry.
    Rough hands held me aloft and upright
    like a cock handler at a fight. I was
    said to be fragile as a little bird.

RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

1 posted 2002-12-02 10:00 AM

This is an attempt to explain a write I may not even understand. Tibetan Buddhists with money are cremated, all others get "sky burials" where they are fed to the vultures who after all these centuries know to hang around. Harsh as it sounds their belief is that the spirit has moved on from the body which no longer has importance. The vultures are considered holy and the remains are romantically (I think) flown to the heavens.
I interspersed a child from womb to birth.

regards2you
Member Elite

since 2002-10-01

Posts 3940
California

2 posted 2002-12-02 10:16 AM

I pretty much got that Richard, though glad for the explanation.

This is SO powerful I felt like throwing up, rejoicing, laughing and
weeping, ALL at the same time!

It is extraordinary!

I think I like this.... smiling here...

Warm regards, Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
"Desiderata"

[This message has been edited by regards2you (12-02-2002 10:18 AM).]

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

3 posted 2002-12-02 10:32 AM

Richard

Thank you for the explanation as I had no idea that this happened, although your words painted a picture that was gruesome as well as reverent. Interesting juxtipositon with birth. You have tremendous talent.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

4 posted 2002-12-02 10:37 AM

the verses in italics are a stunning poem with in a poem...and their purity off set the starkness of the other verse's images...
very cool and clever write poet R.
as always you write with a depth and intelligence that impresses and informs.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

5 posted 2002-12-02 10:49 AM

In a way I am glad I did not need your explanation to know what I was reading; and in a way, I'm glad I did. I know I still have a lot to learn in the ways of the world, but it was comforting knowing I was not far off base from where your thoughts were during this penning...

a wonderful job, Richard. Thank you!

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

6 posted 2002-12-02 11:17 AM

Richard,
I had read about this custom many years ago.
You did an excellent job of bringing back the memory. Enjoyed this write very much.

Sandpiper
Senior Member

since 2002-06-15

Posts 738
land of flora and fauna

7 posted 2002-12-03 05:50 AM

A stark, black and white contrast of beginning and end--excellent!

Cpat Hair

Member Patricius

since 2001-06-05

Posts 11793

8 posted 2002-12-03 09:23 AM

RS..an interesting read and one that gave me pause for thought. As usual I enjoyed.... both the intellect and the talent.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

9 posted 2002-12-03 09:29 AM

As always..another interesting read.
Well done poet sir.
~Hugs~

~ Life is too short not to believe in Santa Claus ~

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