A Great Leap

by Stephen Damon

Here is a poem I wrote, based on a Zen funeral chant, which I read to a gathering of friends and family of a wonderful woman who died Saturday morning.

For Margaret

 

Passing from this world to the next

She is taking a great leap.

As the light of this world fades for her

A clear white light appears.

 

She enters a great solitude

Engulfed in a vast silence

But she can feel our love around her

And hear our prayers.

 

Compassionate ones, protect her from all fear

Be to her a mother and a father.

May the force of your compassion be strong

As you guide her to a world

Where the ancient ones wait for her.

 

Bows,

Stephen