Come walk with me
inside the garden wall,
mindfully, each step
a human prayer.
With soft heart,
as each gentle footstep falls,
we'll greet the venerable being
living there.
We wade in petals
from one thousand years.
Monks watered its roots
through centuries
with their prayers and tears.
Through her branches,
on her loving leafy sighs,
we send our earthly pleas
we send our earthly pleas
into celestial skies.
Hush! the gong rings once.
One more golden petal falls.
Our hearts are peaceful
while we stand
within these garden walls.
This gingko tree is 1400 years old and lives in a
walled enclosure at the Gu Guanyin Buddhist Temple in China. Guan Yin (also known as Quan Yin) is the Bodhisattva
of Compassion.
For Sumana’s prompt at Midweek Motif: a Wall. I
thought of the obvious one, but preferred to spend this time with monks and a
beautiful old tree. Smiles. Also shared with the Tuesday Platform at Real Toads.
"We wade in petals
ReplyDeletefrom one thousand years."
I believe thoroughly in the spirit of place, built in layers over the centurries. Thank you for inviting us in to such a peaceful place. May hearts be at peace.
Lovely! Peaceful and mindful. The Koreans also know her as Kwan Yin.
ReplyDeleteI have only visited a real Chinese garden once... but it's amazing how an ancient garden can be so tranquil.
ReplyDeleteThis is beyond beautiful Sherry!❤️ The poem as a whole gives one such a serene and peaceful feeling 😊
ReplyDeleteOh, there is serenity in your words which create this environment of tranquility — "each step/a human prayer" is a beautiful phrase. I love how the wall acts as a portal to walk inside for this spiritual experience.
ReplyDeleteOh Sherry this is glorious! So full of beauty and an utter peace. I love it!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very soothing wall to contemplate. <3
ReplyDeleteGorgeous poem and tree.
ReplyDeleteThat trees is breathtaking. Thank you for such an enjoyable walk.
ReplyDelete"Hush! the gong rings once.
ReplyDeleteOne more golden petal falls."
Luv this poem sooo much. The photo is breath taking
Happy ypu dropped by my blog today Sherry
Much💛🦅❤love
A stunningly beautiful poem, Sherry – timeless, deep and peaceful. I love the acknowledgment of the 'venerable being' and the thought of centuries of monks tending it. Superb!
ReplyDeleteYou really took us there in the garden. Beautifully written Sherry
ReplyDeleteI am soaking in your words Sherry. Truly. So peaceful.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes please, Sherry! Your garden wall is so inviting. I love the lines:
ReplyDelete'We wade in petals
from one thousand years.
Monks watered its roots
through centuries
with their prayers and tears'.
Thank you so much for this peaceful journey into the presence of the venerable gingko tree.
ReplyDeleteJust reading the words was peaceful!!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds gloriugl....love!
ReplyDeleteThe tree is 1400 years old? that's amazing! love your ode to the tree
ReplyDeleteMary (Cactus Haiku)