Sotto Poet Poet Free verse

Listen to poem:

The Pathless Path

Written: May 25 for a contest sponsored by: Unseeking Seeker

3rd place contest winner

                  *******************

Line of inquiry:

 "This form of dust is by God energised
wherein we are living light housed within
How may this truth be realised
show us, oh monk, how to begin."

                   *******************

I — Valediction of Authority

This dust is not moribund,  
but rumbustious with breath—  
skyfoam rising, fogscape shifting,  
each speck a spark of sprightliness.  

Why wilt your whiter 
at a monk’s behest,  
Or wade within, 
the weight of worship?  
Buddha was flesh,  
a wanderer of earth,  
his catharsis his own,  
not a crown for sequacious mouths.  

To worship him is a mondegreen,  
a nugatory palaver,  
a meretricious catchphrase  
for those who prowl 
in officious dogma.  
No viceroy of sanctity,  
no ersatz jewel of salvation—  
only a human,  
finite, quondam,  
like you, like me.  

Bridge — From Authority to Soul 

Yet the skyfoam does not pause—  
waves continue unabated,  
clouds drift in chiaroscuro,  
reminding us: truth is not bestowed,  
but discovered within.  

II — Realization of the Soul
  
See the cowslips bending in the swale,  
petioles redolent with carotene,  
ants dogged in their labor,  
wisteria climbing with gregarious grace.  
All proclaim: sanctity is not decreed,  
It is ubiquitous,  
woven into the weave of being.  

Oneness is not a god’s decree,  
but the soul’s halcyon colloquy,  
Atman is identical to Brahman—  
a selcouth catharsis,  
A veridical ataraxia.  

So let us not abase ourselves in acrimony,  
nor coddle nugatory hubris,  
nor prowl in truculent objurgation.  
Instead, let us woolgather in halcyon swales,  
pernoctate with skyfoam and cloudscape,  
until burden evanesces,  
and the soul, amaranthine,  
limpid, radiant,  
is realized as Brahman.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Krishnanand Guptar May 27, 2026 at 12:45 AM Congrfatulations derapot on winning the top podium in this contest with a profound spiritual poem, with a masterly diction revealing your width and depth of reading and knowledge. Wishing you a blessed day.

Valsa George May 26, 2026 at 7:17 PM Each time you amaze us with your word power and the depth of your thoughts. Congratulations on your podium win.

sara Etgen-Baker May 26, 2026 at 4:31 AM your video is in sync with your poem and adds a special quality to this intricately constructed and meaningful poem. A contest winner for sure! I do so appreciate the patience you put into your craft.

I Am Anaya May 25, 2026 at 10:59 AM I follow each 'Gently flowing' word, SP, It moved me so~ "Liberation is not earned--Nirvana is the cessation of the illusion that there is a destination" & how the the video posted, shows this, it is much appreciated as well. Blessings I Am Anaya May 26, 2026 at 2:17 PM Back with 'Congratulations on your top win, SP'! Truly melodious lyrics wise & eloquent with truth. A pleasure to reading. Blessings :)