PERSISTENCE

the trouble with life
after enlightenment is
it is all
that it is
and nothing
more.

IT HAS BEEN SAID

you want to start
with the most important

words, like love
and faith and hope,

words which have nothing
to do with this moment;

and you understand you
ought to let go:

the harder you squeeze
the sands of meaning

the more significance
escapes your hands.

ENLIGHTENMENT

and
for
what?

HELPLESS

i stay in
out of shame;
too many drinks
on the brain.

i'm too old
for this shit, trading
nights for days, wisdom
for dumbstruck malaise.

bargaining with god
over giving up
once and for all what is
too frequent and selfish,

i find myself left
with no one to tell this:

i'm afraid
i am helpless.