Wangapeka July 6/95

Moses was a cat I found on the road and brought back to Wangapeka

We met in death upon the road of sunshine strong and

summer full with mirage-like promises.Your brother dead and sister dying and you

me-ewing in death’s sure path,

abandoned to your fate.

I put you and sister in the car

In Nelson your only other relative passed on

and you entered the family of Wangapeka

without ever asking, without any choice.

Foundling of the path, we called you Moses,

Oh teacher in disguise.

You came in fear and trauma and shock

and demonstrated the beauty of love and deepening trust.

First conquering your fears and then opening

the hearts of beings from all over the world

in a wonderfully effortless way.

So many hardships in your life yet you showed

patience, affection and a natural rhythm of independence.

Moses – old friend – today we buried your body,

returning it to its mother elements

While a spark – essence of your heart

with help, leapt into the sky

manifesting Chenrezis* to bless us all

And then like a shooting star,vanishing into Amitabha’s** heart

I’m sure in Devachen*** you will awaken through faith!

Farewell old friend

Even in death you continue to demonstrate Dharma.

Death and clinging,

Love and caring,

Never come,

Never parted,

Everywhere present,

Pristine,

Miraculous,

Oh wonder of wonders in a black furry coat!

May all beings enjoy health and happiness

Blessings to all.

by Tarchin Hearn

 

A Sheaf of Poems, 1991 – 2000, ©

http://www.greendharmatreasury.org

 

*Chenrezis (Combined, the parts mean “lord who gazes down (at the world)”.

** Amitabha, (Sanskrit: “Infinite Light”)

*** Devachan (compound word; Sanskrit ‘deva’, gods, and the Tibetan word ‘chan’ Wylie: ‘can’, possessing, having, subject to) is the “dwelling of the gods”