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Open Poetry #30
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Ratleader
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0 posted 2003-11-23 05:23 PM


On Reading Li Po At Home, While Enduring
Another Bout Of Antibiotic-Induced Diarrhea


No blue lotus gazes upward here, the plys of it rolled out
In reflected genuflecting sweetness over a moonlit pool

Buddha, crouching, would still smile at momentary distress,
Contemplating endless depths in implied mindless clarity

The clarity imparted by a hair’s-breadth arrival over the path
From Mer-vi’ns to the cascades on Ban-d’i-n’i Mountain

Here, where emptiness brings no joy in surcease
And in an instant the splendor of ancient embroidered robes

Even robes such as these, give way before the inevitable
Sudden poignancy of the spilling of a lapful of blossoms

Gazing at inner clouds, I know the river’s thoughts within,
Seeking ever to reach quiescence in the earth-cradling seas


[This message has been edited by Ratleader (11-24-2003 08:52 PM).]

© Copyright 2003 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
icebox
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since 2003-05-03
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in the shadows
1 posted 2003-11-23 05:30 PM


Ah...time for a little tea!

The old man encountered many hardships in his travels; may his spirit look down kindly on you.

Ratleader
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2 posted 2003-11-23 05:46 PM


....and in case anybody's wondering, yes I am, and yes I was, and I did write it in there, during.....

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

suthern
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3 posted 2003-11-23 09:06 PM


Oh, my dear friend. *G* I do hope you feel better soon! *S* You have my sympathy... but also my chuckles... for you've just proved you can create delicate beauty that dances across the mind even in the most indelicate stationary situations. *S*

Even robes such as these, give way before the inevitable
Sudden poignancy of the spilling of a lapful of blossoms

Gazing at inner clouds, I know the river’s thoughts within,
Seeking ever to reach quiescence in the earth-cradling seas

Superb poetry... Now get well soon! *S*

Martie
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4 posted 2003-12-02 01:08 PM


Ed...this is so beautifully done...I must read the master that inspired you.  
Martie
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5 posted 2003-12-02 01:08 PM


Ed...this is so beautifully done...I must read the master that inspired you.  
Enchantress
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Canada eh.
6 posted 2003-12-02 01:22 PM


Ed!  You wrote this on there?  WOW..fantastic!
Hope you're feeling better.
Hugs~

~ Let peace begin with me...

garysgirl
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7 posted 2003-12-02 01:22 PM


Ed, I honestly don't know what to say.....LOL
suthern
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8 posted 2003-12-02 02:53 PM


This has to be one of the most unique titles ever. *G* But it crowns a wonderful poem of great beauty. *S*
ice
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since 2003-05-17
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Pennsylvania
9 posted 2003-12-02 03:44 PM


Ratty
Only a king poet on his throne could write this....I never read a poem by Li PO on this subject, but I bet if he did it would be similir....:-)

________ice
><>

Sadelite
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since 2003-10-11
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10 posted 2003-12-02 07:56 PM


Hey there Ratleader,
  Hope you're feeling better.   Your creativity overwhelms again!   I had to read this a several times layering it with different meanings each time.  I'm still grinning!  Every line is as good as the first!
                        Sadie
                        

Midnitesun
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Gaia
11 posted 2003-12-02 08:50 PM


LOL. Ed, this proves you never know where that muse will come from.
Green tea and time always worked for me. Next time I'm trying your LiPo remedy.  

Ratleader
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12 posted 2003-12-02 08:51 PM


....well, brown tea seemed to be working for me at the moment....does that count?

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Astro
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Ca.
13 posted 2003-12-02 09:22 PM


Very nice -- very gross. I've never heard "it" referred to as a "lapful of blossoms", except for maybe the corpse flower. I love your cool calm, though. Can't beat it.

Sight is an always awful beginning

Ratleader
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14 posted 2003-12-02 10:49 PM


That lapful is a tongue in cheek pickup from a doublet in one of Li Po's poems....

Drinking Alone

As if they could feel, spring grasses
turn shade beside the house jade-green.

When this east wind blows, grief comes.
I sit out in its bluster, my hair white,

and drink alone, inviting my shadow.
Chanting lazily, I face trees in flower.

Old pine, what have you learned? Cold,
cold and desolate -- who's your song for?

On stone, fingers in moonlight dance
over the ch'in in my lapful of blossoms.

Out beyond this jar of wine, it's all
longing, longing -- no heart of mine.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

LeeJ
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since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

15 posted 2003-12-03 08:35 AM


Ed, your resiliance is astounding, not to mention your optimisum and positivity enabling you to create such an elegant poem out of a not so elegant situation...
please, feel better soon.  Love and hugs

Pilgrimage
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since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
16 posted 2003-12-03 09:45 AM


I used to miss Statistics class to read Li Po in the library. Thanks for the reminder of how much I loved him. Even in your distress, you get me.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

GG
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since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
17 posted 2003-12-12 01:54 AM


just reading back some.. and rofl..
it certainly takes a master to do this...
there!
I'm truly impressed!
Though I'm afraid I won't bow at ..this, throne.


Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

Sadelite
Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519

18 posted 2003-12-13 02:36 PM


I'm glad Gg bumped this up.  I've thought about this often and recently dscribed it to my big sis.  Perhaps she'll find it now!(She's new, but has written some pretty good stuff over the years.  When she posts, you'll have to stop in to meet her work.   Her name is iliana.) Again, your work is always such a delight to read.
                                Sadelite

[This message has been edited by Sadelite (12-13-2003 02:46 PM).]

Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
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Canada eh.
19 posted 2003-12-13 02:37 PM


Do hope you are feeling better now.

~Let peace begin with me...    

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