Suppose there is no heaven and suppose there is no why
If all is empty; including the truth and the sky
If so dear friend, does it really matter; the way, we live
or die ?
As belief and truth, my beloved friend
Don't always merge, or smoothly blend
Whether a cloud of dust or an angel to ascend
all are possible till the very end
So live life with virtue, as there is no other solution
Pure in mind, without greed, hate or delusion
And virtue, to choose beyond conflicting choices
Yields itself to the four final solaces
As suppose there is an evermore and suppose there is there
is a fruit
A mind of virtue, in heaven shall surely reap
Thus is the first of the solaces
But; suppose there is no hereafter and suppose there is no
fruit
Yet here and now, free of greed hate and delusion
The mind of virtue; serene and happy it shall keep
Thus is the second of the solaces
Suppose evil begets evil, and good begets good
A virtuous mind begets only good
Thus is the third of the solaces
But; suppose evil does not beget evil and good does not beget
good
Living without hate greed and delusion; is still as good
Thus is fourth and final of the solaces
Thus ,sweet are the ways of virtue; sweeter than honey and molasses
Free of hate greed and delusion
Great are the four and final solaces
This poem is on the pragmatic philosophy and ethics as per the middle way based on the Kalamas sutta
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put. The four solaces make sense from a logical point of view too.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the lines:
As belief and truth, my beloved friend
Don't always merge, or smoothly blend
The way you've built up the context to get to the four solaces is captivating and rational. I'm going to enjoy going through your poems. I think I shall visit one daily instead of devouring all at a time. :)