The Lesson of Potential

The Lesson of Potential The room was large and white The ceiling high And to the right and the left side of the wall Two pictures hung, one long and one small, Both framing the face of an Eastern man, Smiling, staring, in front of a splayed orange fan. His body draped in green, Over one shoulder, Only one could be seen. Twelve cushions lay on the floor Of different colours And sitting, with no more Movement, than a breathing stream, Were twelve cross-legged students, in meditation dream, All facing a higher platform, covered with cloth of red On which sat a child on a small satin bed, No older than ten And he opened his eyes once again, Whilst reaching for the bamboo stick, light and long And gently strikes the large metal gong. Then, from coffee brown lips of glistening silk, He utters the words, “Is butter in milk?” 17/5/21 Sponsor: Unseeking Seeker.