Stepping Towards Emptiness

Poem

A poison arrow pierced me
Festering anger turned to hate
For lifetimes it sat there
Virulent ill will

When finally pulled free
By these hands of kindness
I saw that its tip gleamed 
A diamond vajra	

And meditating on a hollow
Burned out by a candle’s flame
I looked in all directions
And took a step

I began the masters’ path
Wearing a heavy ego mask
A sorry semblance of self
Denying emptiness

My footprints in the sand
Each a moment of goodness
All impermanent wisdom
Cosmically eternal

To be one hand clapping
Silent echo of the crashing tree
Rooted deep in the earth
Becoming earth

In the breathless wind
In the moonlit stillness
I awake from the dream
Of life.