Benjamin's Variations


Who is it that is talking?
What suggestions do you have for me?
I have listened to your talk,
and all You do is laugh!
Is that what you think of me?
Tears of joy?
Then why does the fire
grow brighter,
with all this water pouring on it?

*******

Knowing your face is a goal,
but for now,
I feast on an eyelash,
and I can't even finish that.

*******

Who knows that road over there?
Can anyone read the signpost for me?
All it says to me is Broad Highway,
but there are hardly any footprints on it.
Why do you all clamber up those steep cliffs,
when the palace is right over here?

*******

Ocean, I hear you!
Rain, I am coming!
One laughs every few seconds,
the other only when the sky
can't hold her sides anymore.
Always teary-eyed, you are.
I had no idea of the beauty,
I thought it was the wine.
Clouds drink it right from your ground.

*******

I was so bright I could not see,
the light so intense,
I had to clench my eyes shut.
No wonder I ran into walls--
with all this light,
they couldn't see me either!

*******

There are so many things
to see in this world,
but only one worth remembering.

*******

I hear you everywhere,
see your eyes behind
each person I meet.
Why so much music?
Why so many faces?
Ah! I see now.
Infinite variations means just that.

*******

My god, what is that dark form?!
Why does it stare at me?
Why will it not go away?
"Look away from the mirror."
What will be left?
"Something worth seeing."

******

There is a name for this,
a word that says what I feel,
what I hear,
what my eyes send to me.
What is it?
If you don't know it,
I can't tell you.

*******

Wake up, all of you!
The house has been stolen,
the yard is gone,
in fact we are floating in space!
How can you still sleep!?!
Oh, one of us is dreaming.

*******

I see that hand in my mind,
ready to grasp anything it can.
Why is it sitting so still now?
Really! Hands are useless,
unless they are fully attached.
See where the desire ended,
right at the bone?

*******

Can anyone hear me?
Oh, of course you can, Beloved.
You put the words into my mouth
and took away my ears.
Who knew the heart was so good
at hearing?
Ah, you again.

*******

© 1995 Benjamin Severnlord