Classic and Contemporary Poetry
GAUTAMA, by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Seven weary centuries ere our star-like christ Last Line: "our only godhead vague nonentity!" Subject(s): Buddhism; Buddha; Buddhists | ||||||||
SEVEN weary centuries ere our star-like Christ Rose on the clouded heavens of mortal faith Gautama came, the stern high priest of death, Oblivion's sombre, dark evangelist. Millions of souls hath this dread creed enticed To wander lost through realms of baleful breath, Ghoul-haunted, rife with shapes of sin and scath, Monstrous, yet dim, as births of midnight mist: All life, he taught, hath been, all life must be Accursed! the gift of demons! All delight Lies at the far-off goal of pulseless peace. "Pray," sighed he, "that this breath of men shall cease; Our hell is earth, our heaven eternal night; Our only godhead vague Nonentity!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEATH SUNYATA CHANT: A RITE FOR PASSING OVER by DIANE DI PRIMA I FAIL AS A DHARMA TEACHER by DIANE DI PRIMA TO THE UNNAMED BUDDHIST NUN WHO BURNED HERSELF TO DEATH by DIANE DI PRIMA A FIFTEENTH CENTURY ZEN MASTER by NORMAN DUBIE GHOSTS ON THE NORTHERN LAND OF UR; CIRCA 2100 C.E. by NORMAN DUBIE POEM FOR MY FRIEND, CLARE. OR, WITH WHITE STUPAS WE REMEMBER BUDDHA by NORMAN DUBIE LADAKH BUDDHESS BIKER by LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI FURTHER ADVANTAGES OF LEARNING by KENNETH REXROTH A STORM IN THE DISTANCE (AMONG THE GEORGIAN HILLS) by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE |
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