Wednesday

Three Poems by Gesar Mukpo

The Vancouver Shambhala Center shares three poems by Gesar Mukpo during his visit last spring to Vancouver for the world premier of his film, Tulku. Tulku is a documentary film about the meeting of East and West through certain individuals who embody both–namely reincarnations of Tibetan masters born in America or Europe.

Gesar Mukpo is the son of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, brother of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, and reincarnation of Trungpa Rinpoche’s root teacher, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche of Shechen. During a talk at the Vancouver Shambhala Center on “A Buddhist Approach to the Arts,” Gesar spoke about his poetry and kindly agreed to share three of his poems.

We’re delighted now to share them with you:

Three Poems by Gesar Mukpo

HOLDING HANDS

Blinding,
snow storm,
that we ambled home in,
holding hands,
laughing,
snow covering your face,
melting on your red cheeks,
my heart is yours,
trying to tell you,
my gift with words simply fails me.

2008 SELF IDENTITY CRISIS ON PEPPERELL ST

Father,
we make nothing become something,
a tool to see.
Stranded with our heartbreak,
searching for the warmth of the sun.
Learning that imperfection is a state of harmony,
but watching for that perfect mind.

This world could destroy us,
with it’s hate and aggression,
but in truth all around us was built to heal and repair,
expose our insanity,
as a workable situation,
give birth to the hope of our children,
that they could be pure,
inherit a world of chaos,
turn it into something sane,
a testament to their courage,
and gentle touch.

Where should I begin?
I’ve only just learned to take things as they are.
Its simplicity destroys me,
here at home,
where I forgot to turn the oven off and fell asleep.

CONSTERNATION REGARDING US

We were born to find our love,
where it slipped through the cracks.

What’s forgotten is never gone,
only waiting,
to be remembered,
and there is tremendous truth,
in the moment
when our goodness meets,
and it feels right…

Every time I see you is a gratifying experience,
I’m still learning what it means to be a man,
every time I see you it clarifies that confusion,
my heart opens,
to a world that feels quite meaningful,
to this stray dog,
who fell in love with a farmer’s daughter.

There have been obstacles,
things to understand,
though far more to leave behind,
which can be so confusing,
but my dear it doesn’t matter,
all you need to know,
is that,
we were born to love each other.

-© Gesar Mukpo

Watch a trailer of Gesar Mukpo’s film, Tulku.

Adapted from: Vancouver Shambhala Ordinary News