To be enlightened, by Robert Lax

to be <<enlightened>> is not to shine; nor to bring 
multitudes to the hill where one sits cross-
legged, to listen.
it is rather to know what one is doing (& even, 
perhaps, to enjoy it).
thus i am glad that they say i am <<isichos>> 
& not that they say i am rich (which I’m not).
they’ve discerned a direction i’ve taken, and one 
which i hope i shall keep to.
Sometimes i’ve tried to see more than i saw (and 
have tried to forget what I’ve seen).
& sometimes I’ve tried to see less than I saw (& 
have tried to forget what I’ve seen).
but the world here is whole: whole & large &
patient. the longer I stay, the more patiently i 
seek, the more, i believe, i shall learn.
here comes the shepherd
& his flock
(out of the shadow 
of the rock)

Robert Lax (1915-2000)

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