uniform is just that
one...oneness...in a sea of others
a sea of monks
but - there is only one tired monk
in these parts anyways
hair cropped skull cap tight
no locks of vanity
but everyone asks..."can I touch your head?"
big flowing robes
prayer beads swaying...swinging
wool socks in sandals...these winter days
the tired monk fades into one last aspect of his uniform
the ancient yellow headphones
of his sony walkman
Olsonomics: New Post
So vivid... great ending, Ollie.
ReplyDeleteBittersweet mediation on the one in the many and the many in the one: who isn't wearing the human uniform, yet how many tired monks remain? The obsolecence of the Sony walkman is a nice synedcohe on our greater irrelevance -- I'm assuming you're over 50, too. - Brendan
ReplyDeleteI love the touch of the headphones and the walkman - in his day, this monk was one cool dude. Tiredness aside, he still is.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful visual and a touching melancholy.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kerry - one cool dude!!!! Love the "can I touch your head?" Like a touchstone, like a source of imparted serenity, like a......wait! No, NOT like a Blarney Stone. Hee hee. I love your poems, kiddo. I resonate with the tiredness.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about that! There IS only one Tired Monk. We are blessed to have him.
ReplyDeleteI love the last stanza, how even when swallowed by the conforming nature of a uniform, he still has those yellow headphones. Nice!
ReplyDeleteI go with Kerry. Despite being tired, you are one cool dude... :-)
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
"in these parts anyways"
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome touch.
Really nice-- I've always loved your zen.
ReplyDeleteyou only left out the silence and chastity: two main components of the monk's uniform! Cute write, and of course I mean cute in the most sincere and professional way possible. Viva la
ReplyDeleteI like the visuals in this piece and the ending is great..."the tired monk fades into one last aspect of his uniform the ancient yellow headphones of his sony walkman" His vow of silence enhanced by listening to the voices of others...nice work!
ReplyDeleteLove it...the touchstone shaved head, the walkman to take us away...yes I do love this!
ReplyDelete"ancient yellow headphones"...got to love that!
ReplyDeleteI like it!
ReplyDelete