Poem for Daido

Posted February 19th, 2010 by Tawni Anderson

It was everything really
The sound of the snow as I shifted from foot to foot.

The air sharp, thin and cold
The white pines long arms reaching skyward
Needles turning in the wind.

The chanting.
Fire in the stone pit
The smell of char.

The burned paper notes of remembrance float
Around me
In the wind:
they are passing through the needled branches of the white pines,

black moths
set free.
In memoriam, John Daido Roshi
2009

~Caryn Silberberg

Filed under:Zen

6 Responses to “Poem for Daido”

Carole Says:
February 19th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Oh Caryn, that is so beautiful. The poem and the photo. They tear my heart out, and take me there.
Annette Says:
February 20th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Wonderful, Caryn, thank you for charing this with us!
Wynn Says:
February 20th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Thank you Caryn for expressing the pain and beauty of loss.
elena Says:
February 20th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
The poem really gives me the feel of being there and receiving great teaching and love from Daido. It’s beautiful.
Liz Says:
February 21st, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Thank you Caryn. Beautiful.
Chris Says:
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:02 am
Caryn, there’s so much sadness, pain, love, and dignity in your poem. More than that, it also makes me feel connected to the energy that lasts. I’m really pleased that the little black moth in the picture is alive and kicking. Thank you!