I try to keep up and optimistic but these are very trying times and I've had some dismal thoughts. Writing always keeps me from falling off the edge. So here goes another one....
It's too much
on to another life,
she said
as she pointed
the gun to her head
she forgot
the rule of Theravada rebirth
but the pain
was too much
and it was too late
awakened
in another body
a new rebirth
she recalled another life
cried and gasped
turned upside down
smacked on her bottom
it was cold
when before it was warm
in the room of the womb
not ready
for a new journey of life
her bottom
red and bruised
as she lay gasping for air
this is the path
no heaven above
or hell below
I am not a god, Buddha said
I am merely awake
what thoughts
run in darkened chambers
scratched
against the prison
of my dismal mind
it's time
for a comedy--switch channels
blast
the mystic screen
follow that mocking bird
he mocks me
with his bird brain
flies away
into the setting sun
another day -- tomorrow
take a bath
and wash the grey away
the golden sun
is sinking fast
soon it will be night
be glad
I can feel the pain and sorrow
to be --
or not to be
there is no question
the moon will rise
my heart is beating
rattling against my bones
scratching the cage
surrounding my heart
all supporting
working in synchrony
my body is old yet strong
looking out
for red hummingbirds
Genie Nakano, August 30, 2020
I love writing--It's my joy, my therapy--my confession. I'm a performer, dancer, yoga and meditation instructor, write a poetry column for Rafu Shimpo. Growth and love of life is a key to my happiness.
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7 thoughts on “Rebirthing”
Hi Raphael. You are making me laugh. The other poem is Set Me Free. I am feeling much more upbeat now. Toto is walking again.
Dear Friend I’m sorry to hear you have gone through so much sadness. Life is not fair. I remember you at our last reunion. I had no idea. You were kind, attentive and made Gloria and I laugh. I will keep on writing because it is my therapy and many other things. Thank you for your encouragement. I have a feeling you are a good writer. Have you written poetry. If not — try it. Love and Light, Genie Jeanne Nakano
I enjoyed as well as relived the feeling of the birth of my first born.
The mother was in labor for 30 hours. The stress, the worrying for the baby and mother
and my child was over whelming.
Thank you my friend.
It’s so nice to reconnect with you.
Hi Genie;
What a beautiful poem you wrote!! Today was my annual mammogram and tomorrow at UCLA westwood is my annual echocardiogram at 10am. Hopefully then. I’ll be done for a while. See you Thursday
Christine
Genie Nakano 
Hi Raphael. You are making me laugh. The other poem is Set Me Free. I am feeling much more upbeat now. Toto is walking again.
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Genie,‘I’m sorry I didn’t respond to this sooner. It came out the first day of my China classes (every Sunday is Monday in china).
It’s certainly very different than your other Rebirth poem a couple months ago. You must have been feeling pretty horrible when you wrote it.
Which is the other ‘Depressing’ poem you mentioned tonight?
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Dear Friend I’m sorry to hear you have gone through so much sadness. Life is not fair. I remember you at our last reunion. I had no idea. You were kind, attentive and made Gloria and I laugh. I will keep on writing because it is my therapy and many other things. Thank you for your encouragement. I have a feeling you are a good writer. Have you written poetry. If not — try it. Love and Light, Genie Jeanne Nakano
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I hope you are doing well. I look forward to reading some more of your writings. I do enjoy them.
The last time we met briefly at our class reunion, I was not myself. My wife was fighting cancer. She passed in March the following year.
I do understand your current feelings. I have learned that tomorrow always comes and presents new beginnings.
Your friend, John
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Hope we all meet again.
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I enjoyed as well as relived the feeling of the birth of my first born.
The mother was in labor for 30 hours. The stress, the worrying for the baby and mother
and my child was over whelming.
Thank you my friend.
It’s so nice to reconnect with you.
LikeLike
Hi Genie;
What a beautiful poem you wrote!! Today was my annual mammogram and tomorrow at UCLA westwood is my annual echocardiogram at 10am. Hopefully then. I’ll be done for a while. See you Thursday
Christine
Sent from my iPhone
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