Poetry about Zen

Poems about zen embrace serenity and enlightenment, capturing the essence of tranquility and mindfulness. They mirror the calmness found in nature and the profound wisdom of introspection.

These verses often seek to awaken a deeper understanding of existence, emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment and letting go of attachments.

Poems about zen employ minimalism in language, employing simplicity and elegance to evoke a sense of profound stillness. They inspire readers to find balance and peace within themselves, as well.

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Brilliance

by Mark Doty

‘Brilliance’ by Mark Doty describes a dying man who wants to control his own life. He eventually opens himself up to new experiences.

'Brilliance' discusses Buddhist beliefs about reincarnation and tells a story of a Zen master. Although the philosophy of the Zen master is important in the poem, Mark Doty turns it on its head by imagining reincarnation into an animal form as a positive rather than a negative outcome. The story he tells about the Buddhist monk would actually be a bad fate according to Buddhist philosophy, but the speaker reframes that idea to make the dying man's reincarnation as a goldfish a positive ending.

Maggie’s taking care of a man

who’s dying; he’s attended to everything,

said goodbye to his parents,

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Golden Retrievals

by Mark Doty

‘Golden Retrievals’ is a poignant poem that personifies man’s best-friend in an attempt to remind us that happiness and shelter from life’s woes is best found in the present.

This poem by Mark Doty also mentions Zen, a Japanese school of Buddhism whose teachings focus on meditation and intuition as pathways toward enlightenment. Such a perception takes into account the apparent carefree nature dogs inherently possess. Unlike their owners, who are constantly bombarded by a variety of anxieties and strifes

Fetch? Balls and sticks capture my attention

seconds at a time. Catch? I don’t think so.

Bunny, tumbling leaf, a squirrel who’s—oh

joy—actually scared. Sniff the wind, then

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Poetry about Zen

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Poetry about Zen

Brilliance

by Mark Doty

Golden Retrievals

by Mark Doty

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