Imagine

Do you perceive me
as a Zen Buddhist,
a Catholic or both?

[ I think of you as Catholic Zen poet
who left the Church
to become Zen Buddhist poet
who never leaves Church. ]

It's a choice in the end:

[Yes... yes, this is it!]

Do you choose light or darkness?

[ These eyes are useless orbs
at the crack between worlds
where light and dark begin

as the outlines of extinction,
where this act (out) alone
will not enlighten the flames. ]



Remain(s)

Perhaps I should say --
My remains

are bits and pieces of a human being.
eyes no longer swollen and burning, burning--
dark cavities two inches wide and miles deep.

[ A fine refrain,
while in my mind--
I shall remain ]

Are you saying that
my remains
will write poetry?

[ This remains to be seen. ]



A Lovely Poem Saved

[ Yes, afloat at sea -
looking for bottles
with messages inside

The sea -
miles and miles
and miles away..... ]

Simple... Sad.
Blissful.. Hopeless --
Hopeful.

The way things really are
as on a blue guitar.

© 2006 [Hammond Guthrie] & Philomene Long