Parastalks

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

[Obon, The Festival of the Dead in Japan]

When pink, a perfect pink, becomes the tint

Of death, you know that you are taken to . . .

Religion’s realm, but not Septuagint

Divinity.  An Eastern thought can skew

Our souls to other truths, though not as pure

As white and red unmixed, not watered down.

This adumbrated hue will bring a cure

In life and death up on a petaled crown.

When green, a lifting leafy stalk of green

Means life and death are brought together, twins

Of teachings, absolutes, we know the scene

Of blue with yellow mixed, transcendent, wins.

  The lotus bridges realms of life and breath

    And ever landless lands of life-drawn death.

~ Phillip Whidden