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Notes About The Poem

(Today a friend shared with me this new word - dzoku - discovered, apparently with great joy, in the index of a book of Tibetan Bon dzogchen. He thought it would make a great category label for our mutually shared 'madman happening poems' - "Dzoku Poetry - the seventh level of poetry". So I wrote him this poem in response. Then I went and did a search for this word, finding it's a hidden valley in India (Nagaland) which a trekking company offers tours to, and finding a poem published on Poetry Soup called "The Mystic Valley of Dzoku". Now I want to go trek in Dzoku and have joined Poetry Soup for life....)

Journey To Dzoku

("The Impermanence of Stuff", 2011, original oil pastels)

The call of the cuckoo
rings out its simple reminder.
Clothed in its plain and ordinary form
it nonetheless with confidence proclaims;
“I am THAT!” 

That which is no other than this
bliss of suchness…
 
In this state of perfect rapture
the cuckoo sings, 
what no word can tell,
what no thought can hold,
and yet what everyone knows.

Wake up, wake up. 
Rejoice, you have no choice, but to carry on.

(for Mu’ncle - 9/3/23)

celebrationinspirationjoyspiritualfree verse

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CayCay Godwin

December 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM

Wanted to check out your first posting. You started during a period where I was on 'stopped.' This is unique, entertaining and also a joy to read.

James Moore

December 20, 2025 at 6:48 AM

Thank you Caycay, it is certainly a bit of whimsical spontaneity - a good place to start!

Beata Agustin

September 5, 2023 at 6:24 AM

Thanks for sharing this... exposing your wisdom through your unique poetic style. Welcome to Poetry Soup. I welcome you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.

James Moore

September 5, 2023 at 7:06 AM

Thank you - for the welcome and blessing!

Lady Labyrinth

September 5, 2023 at 2:06 AM

There is no such thing as coincidence. The word, "pre-ordained" enters the fray. That word "dzoku", so many meanings...and a place of great deep beauty. Love it! I have read your first poem, here .... first. Absolutely, you must carry on. This is it, the journey. :)

James Moore

September 5, 2023 at 7:13 AM

Yes, I agree. This one surprised me though. I really do want to go and hike there now.

James Moore

September 5, 2023 at 7:13 AM

Yesterday looking at more google images of the Dzoku Valley I came across one of a steep ravine absolutely filled with colorful flowers and remembered seeing it on the internet and painting it (actually drawing with oil pastels) 12 and a half years ago when I was recovering from back surgery! Seems to me a delightful bit of serendipity this Dzoku/Poetry Soup thing! Painting now included here.

Journey To Dzoku

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