more about my last post

I initially wrote the poem as a renga which is a Japanese poetry form that consists of haiku bridged by two line stanzas. The form is used as a conversation between multiple poets and was often practiced by Zen Buddhist monks.

obviously I am not multiple people, and the poem is no longer in renga form, but many of the stanzas remain in a informal haiku format.

The 2009-2010 Jarvis Poetry Prize

This last week I was awarded the 2009-2010 Jarvis Poetry Prize at Principia College. any student can submit a poem and one is chosen. This is that one poem.


The Dharma Wheel

the damp autumn air
carries sandalwood incense
from the temple porch

in the tiniest movement
socks whisper on tatami floors

The Buddha watches me.
I tell him I am only
here to see the architecture.

flowers bursting like
the gardens of paradise
the guilt ceiling

with perfect balance
Buddha places his hands
the dharma wheel

the symbol
for rebirth and teaching
passed down through endless
time

before the Buddha the
obaasan’s dedication
answered with patience

she reminds me
this is still a place of worship

Buddha has taught her that life is suffering
she bore that and lived.

she has worked hard and
starved.
she has seen war
and the laughter of small children
as she bore sons into this world
and still she lives.

I place my hands together
as Buddha watches
waiting for tranquility

but I don't know what to say





*obaasan means grandmother in Japanese