Walter Hettich
Walter Hettich |
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| Walter Hettich lives in Southern California. Besides writing and translating poetry, he enjoys drawing cartoons related to the spiritual and not so spiritual life. (A selection is available on his website). Occasionally, he facilitates meetings on what he calls Inquiry from the Heart. |
No Other Joy
What joy this morning
meeting you again
who never left.
What fun to play
pretended games
of separation
where none exists.
How will it end?
It must - in ecstasy
love flowing forth
and back again
into itself.
As Kabir says
the bee that tastes
this flower wants
no other joy.
For J. S.
This morning
walking by the ocean
I remembered the time
when you closed your eyes
and said: so free
we were sitting
on the terrace in Bali
and I knew then
that calling it freedom
was just a courtesy
meant for me
a pointer in a world
where the mind does not
understand the heart
where labels are needed
this morning
feet in the wet sand
I called the pounding waves
"ocean" and laughed
remembering you
in the brilliance of this morning
I laughed.
Praise
High in the air
the ball
rising
and I
looking up up
arm outstretched
hurting
with exertion
and then
the speeding descent
towards hard earth - where
will it hit
bounce
run?
In playing the game
again and again
praise
the brilliant moment
of uncertainty
praise
the delicious
not knowing
how
it must end.
Pine
When night
has washed away
green color, the pine
welcomes vastness.
Memories of brilliance
do not help to understand
its gratitude.
Now that the moon
rests in branches,
darkness bows
to the heart's freedom.
You are alive.
The pine's true gesture
starts in you.
Gift
This gift to you
is it for taking
or to give
or did we both
receive it and the joy
is multiplied?
The train of wanting
has it reached
its destination?
It is said that givers
should be grateful
yet I know
accepting what I am
will be enough.
Feast
(written to be performed)
Wake up
you were born
to share in this feast
the seven virtues
have slept
with the seven vices
love played the fiddle
come, come
the cathedral is filled
with laughter
this dance cannot be
refused
and you —
you are the master
of ceremonies
it is you
who must proclaim
the children
will be children
in the eyes of love.
Contact Walter and enjoy his cartoons at his website Laughter of Truth.