OHS 10th Anniversary Poem by Monica Elrod
Open Heart Sangha
The
sangha cradles me gently like a newborn babe
Easing
suffering, quenching my hunger for spiritual food
Filling
my heart with comfort and deep healing
Dharma
rain falls upon me
Mixing
with my tears
Of
joy, grief, and love
I learn to deeply experience
The
present moment
Songs
make me smile,
I
feel like a six year old child
Singing
quietly, haltingly
Not
knowing all the words or gestures
Others
may be shy too
I
wait for them
During
dharma sharing
Hoping
for the tiny flower buds to unfurl
And
luscious blossoms to spill from open hearts and lips
We
zoom together, and inter are
Our
energies join in cyberspace,
Ebbing,
swirling and flowing
Like
waves surging into shore, and out to sea again
I
feel your pain
I
feel your sorrow
I
feel your compassion,
I
feel your loving kindness
We
are the continuation
Dear
Thay
Although
I have not met you
I
know you (and you know me!)
From
your writings
Your
dharma talks
Through
your precious nuns and monks
And
cherished sangha bodies
You
have polished the three jewels
So
they sparkle with color, brilliance, and energy
Today
we celebrate
10
years
Of
heart opening and deep listening
Breathing
in, we transform our suffering
Breathing
out, we transform the world's suffering
The
bell rings, echoing waves of sound
Bringing
us back to the present moment, wonderful moment
-Monica Elrod