On Being Earthly

On Being Earthly

Isn’t it a joy, a happiness, a heavenly gift, to be earthly-bound?

Be attached to my dog, my cat, my fighting cock,

Be attached to my choir, an old servant, a food stall vendor,

Be bound to my bed, my home, the environment, my country, my people,

Forgetting myself in a hobby, my “art”, my “philosophy”,

A mother, child-bound,

I, myself a man, bound to you MM, a woman and  vice-versa 

And to hunger, to thirst

After enjoyment, warmth, love and freedom

And all wishes, longings of being human

And all the dear things that bind, draw us to the earth.

Should I choose the happiness of being freed of desires, wishes, suffering,

As is the sage, the wise or those in Nirvana?

I don’t repent the suffering that accompanies it. 

Buda  forgive me my foolishness.

1975

May 2011