Tuesday, August 18, 2015

A Zhuihitsu

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Dust off this tattered old soul, and let it swoop one more time around the ceiling, reaching for those elusive words that catch in the dim corners. What can I do with the lives around me, all falling into crisis, but ride the inner tide of peace, dig my roots down deep along the river's edge, the better to remain steady for them when they reach out from the rushing current, in passing, nearly drowned, to grab my branches. The setting sun forms refracted rays through the forest, and paints the river silver, as day's end turns golden everything not in shadow. Let me bring you soft white cotton to dry your tear-streaked cheeks. Let me assure you that this calamity, too, will pass, and you will, one day, laugh in the sunshine again.

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 A Zhuihitsu (gesundheit!) is a type of prose poem from Japan. A zhuihitsu is rooted in Buddhist thought, containing the author's musings on the impermanence of the material world, and contains the feeling of randomness without being random. Am feeling a bit random myself these days, which is why I chose it to re-post  for The Tuesday Platform at Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads, where Marian's message today is "Maybe everything isnt hopeless bullshit." We live in hope, LOL.
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22 comments:

  1. XAugust 18, 2015 at 9:09 AM

    We can not save anyone. But we can dig our roots deep so that as they pass they can cling to us - if they need/want/will, you know.

    Laugh on.

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  2. Kerry O'ConnorAugust 18, 2015 at 9:36 AM

    Let me bring you soft white cotton to dry your tear-streaked cheeks.

    That is just lovely, Sherry. Your words do give hope for a harmonious lifestyle.

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  3. brudbergAugust 18, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    This is just lovely.. the world need more wild women with roots bringing compassion of soft cotton.. and we need to share the support to such way of life.

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  4. Sanaa RizviAugust 18, 2015 at 12:02 PM

    Let me bring you soft white cotton to dry your tear-streaked cheeks.

    Beautiful lines and what a majestic form :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  5. GailAugust 18, 2015 at 12:10 PM

    I feel such strength here, offering to others while your roots hang on.

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  6. ClaudiaAugust 18, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    sometimes it's just good to be there for them like a big rock in the storm to cling to - you know...smiles

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  7. BlogorattiAugust 18, 2015 at 2:27 PM

    I thought that was lovely. Greetings!

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  8. colleenAugust 18, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    Like a meditation. I had never heard of that kind of poem.

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  9. colleenAugust 18, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    Like a meditation. I had never heard of that kind of poem.

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  10. SusanAugust 18, 2015 at 2:44 PM

    ride that inner ring of peace to grow strong for those who reach ... much more brilliant in your words, Sherry. Such a fine poem, acknowledging both the caring and the impermanence. Bravo!

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  11. Maude LynnAugust 18, 2015 at 3:16 PM

    This is lovely, Sherry. Peaceful.

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  12. Sweeper of DreamsAugust 18, 2015 at 3:32 PM

    ooh, i loved this writing. kindred with the wild rain of tears, and the cloud of watching, and knowing a rainbow will surface soon or the rain will abate some, at least... truly beautifully and powerfully written.

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  13. GraceAugust 18, 2015 at 4:04 PM

    I love the prose poem Sherry ~ Indeed these things will too pass, nothing is permanent ~ Thanks for the introduction to the form ~

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  14. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    Lives in crisis do crave a stable hand of reassurance.. lovely form.

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  15. Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little PencilAugust 18, 2015 at 7:21 PM

    I love this form, Sherry. The image of a deeply rooted being, catching the fallen in its branches as they drift past, an apt metaphor for all crones! Amy

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  16. Gillena CoxAugust 19, 2015 at 5:36 AM

    thanks for the introduction to Zhuihitsu by way of your lovely meditative poem

    im happy you dropped by my blog to read mine

    much love...

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  17. Bekkie SanchezAugust 19, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    I enjoyed your Zhuihitsu it was a first for me. Thanks!

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  18. Susie ClevengerAugust 19, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    Oh my gosh I have lived your words so many times with Dawn's health emergencies. Love you explained what Zhuihitsu poetry is.

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  19. Myrna R.August 19, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    I like this so much. It feels like a very down to earth meditation. Lovely.

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  20. MaryAugust 21, 2015 at 5:58 PM

    I do like this!

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  21. MarianAugust 22, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    All of us around falling into crisis. Oh sigh. So nice, so caring and reflective, Sherry. I'm unfamiliar with the form, will check it out.

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  22. grapelingAugust 25, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    gesundheit indeed! I like this form and concept, as I fall... ~

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