ManicDDaily

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Zen Koan Poem

So, what IS the sound of one hand
clapping?

I tell myself that I can answer
“cla-”
and just not think about it anymore,
if,
when I hear a fly buzz, I
sto–
myself from a good quick
sla–
with the swatter and, instead,
let it out
through the screen.

The same with
the spider in the bathroom that,
rather than squish, I
tra–
in a releasing
cu–

I make no promises
to
mosquitos–

–p.

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I hesitate to post the above photo, especially in the context of a Zen Koan poem, because it makes yours truly look like a bona fide meditator.  (I most regrettably  am not.)  The little bird who landed on my head, however, was not aware that it was catching me on a rare attempt.  It stayed for about five minutes (ensuring some measure of stillness on my part and the need to wash that baseball cap.)

The poem was written for the “Zen Koan” prompt by Kerry O’Connor of  With Real Toads. Kerry’s post  beautifully exemplifies a rarefied form combining Koan and poetry.  Mine owes a great deal to Terry Pratchett, the wonderful British satirist, and in my opinion, Zen master (if not, perhaps, Zen practitioner.)

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P.S. If you have the time and are in the mood for something silly or elephantine, check out my books!  Children’s counting book 1 Mississippi -for lovers of rivers, light and pachyderms,  Going on Somewhere, poetry, or  Nose Dive, a very fun novel that is perfect for a pool or beachside escape.