Prince and Princess
and Santa Barbara Swami
The day after
The Prince and Princess
were here
I pass by
the polo grounds
on my way to the
Santa Barbara Swami's
birthday party
-90 years old today-
Signs are still up
at the Polo Place
No Parking here
No Parking there
No Parking anywhere
-for the unrich
-the uninitiated
-the hoi polloi
(from Greek; the many--
the common people, the masses)
that's me
I drive slowly
past the open gate
carefully avoiding
Sunday bicyclists
-ten speeds and tight pants-
ok
driving slowly
I look through the open gate
Pavilions are still up
with flowing white curtains
tied up
Maybe a little royalty
still
lingers in the air
If I had known
I could have been there
The cheap seats
weren't that much
I could have
dug a dress
out of the back of the closet
and worn a thrift store hat
I can
behave myself
when I must
I do like tea
and mother's side
was British
-after all
These two
young ones
whose lives
are so subject to scrutiny
(I'm not good with scrutiny)
I much prefer
to meditate
in quiet, cool places
To go on Pilgrimages
-in California-
-to stay in places
with good food
and air conditioning
I find it helps
the contemplation
Which, it turns out,
is difficult enough.
The ego must be dealt with
It is a poker game
She doesn't want
to give it up
(doesn't know when to fold 'em)
-does not want
to be
silent
still
-but everyone else is. . .
subject of the lecture today,
Spiritual Discipline
-uh-oh-
On one level
I am in so-o-o-o much
trouble
People give their lives to things
Royalty or Spirituality
or maybe both
I question myself;
What have I
given my life to. . .
Sometimes it seems we have no choice
--taxes, work, and bad relationships--
They say it's all for learning
All a great school
-I wasn't the greatest fan
of school-
Passing periods and lunch
were fun
sort of
-but I never understood
-why so early
-every-day??
I could have done
with Cliff Notes-
I get the concept
Park the Kids
Get them ready
To be workers
"twenty years of schooling
and they put you on the day shift"
to quote the old Bob Dylan record...
But I digress
we all dedicate our lives
to the path of our own lives
-even the worst addict
only wants
happiness,
bliss, and
sweet release
we are all
wanderers in search of
sweetness...
and it's there
so close inside
just beyond the barrier
of mind
of opinion
of me
It is said;
"the perfect way
is not difficult
for those who
hold no preferences"
those were the jokesters
of old
the ones who
walked on air
even though
the air is
everywhere
it is only for us
to remember
its
presence
here
