Jaded

Jaded

In the afterglow of ecstasy comes realization of impermanence and change

The urge to chase the joy of the past grows in those unaccustomed

Antidotes to antidotes to antidotes is the alchemy of balance

Adapting to changing conditions we follow the world

To see glory and bliss as the goal is to chase eternity atop the crest of a wave

With body there is time and with time there is change

Memories of blissful crests may haunt us with longings

Or taunt us with songings

One day gates may admit us to vaster realms of calm stability

But then the gates may fade never to reappear

What use is it to cry out for entry?

The poet’s yoga with words' ways plays

What then if the mystical secrets fail to charm us with possibility?

Is it all a bore? Is there nothing more?

Beyond the grunt and roar is the peaceful laughter of energetic restfulness

Bliss and pain remain

   and the waves of the main rage wild and lame for the captain-sages to tame

For balanced mind equalizes differences with sameness

The moments leading up, and the aftermath

   emphasize the contrast of rising, abiding, and falling, but all is moving with time

We seek to abide yet we are always besot with rising and falling

Only mind can escape time

Once brightened now faded, once new and untried now callused and jaded

But under the browning mushy skin of rot there is freshness yet

And Freshness beyond time and body and change

   is that worth preserving by giving up resistance, to these

At the end comes the beginning and so the weary traveler smiles and is fresh again