in my stance I am
a mountain
rooted in the age-lasting
movements
of the earth
my arm and back feel
the uneven pull of the bowstring
the resistance of the lower
the yielding
of the upper bow
and I guide them
to a flowing singularity of purpose
earth to mountain
body to mind
hand to the fletched arrow
knocked at my fingertips
eye and emotion along the arrow’s line
then
when there is no more thought
no purpose
loose
(an impulse between lightning
and the fall of a carnation petal
a great
and disregarded thing)
the intention
and the action
the thrum of the bowstring
and the arrow’s flying
(inevitable as karma)
the mute embrace of the target
all are one
and complete
within
a moment
The practice of martial art as "moving meditation" within Zen Buddhism. In this case, the practice of Kyudo, Japanese archery.
My name is Mairi bheag Marasgal
The form I use is free verse. It is not cut-up prose, but rather poetry set free from form, in order to give the writer liberty to use the richness, or economy, of language as he or she feels led. In this instance, my inspirations are: 1) natural rhythms of breath, 2) counter-currents of thought, stilling to the calmness required for the discipline, and 3) the free verse of Lane E Smith, whom I admire greatly.
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Originally an entry for the following contest: http://allpoetry.com/contest/2401941
The object was not to write a beautiful poem about philosophy, nor to fit a philosophical theme into a poem, nor to write about philosophy using poetic devices. The object is to produce something which is good free-verse and cogent philosophy in one. This unity suggested to me the practice of a zen discipline, and the product was a poem, literally, of the moment.
(In kyudo, the Japanese art of archery, the grip is less than half-way up the bow. Pic courtesy of topics on line magazine.)
Adding your comment:
* This is one of those times when I say..I don't know anything about (kyudo), but I know what I like!! Bravo, poet.
