Samsara

by Melanie Choukas-Bradley

 

“I am in love with life and would choose samsara over nirvana any day. Even if we are indeed all illusions, then let’s make this the best and most beautiful and compassionate illusion possible.”
                                                                                                    -Beate Sigriddaughter

 
Samsara, there is that word gone missing
Samsara, like samara, the seed that flies to birth the tree
With an extra “s” for song
 
The song of the earth, longing to be loved
Samsara samsara, now that I know you
I could sing you all day
 
Last night I dreamed of the dead
Gathered around a hearth of their own making
One smiling, one grieving, one searching for a missing kitchen tray
 
This February morning robins join the dawn chorus
The earth is warm with Lenten roses and coddling clouds
Winter aconites so yellow-bright, they stand in for the sun
 
Who would not wish to return?
Samsara. Welcome home


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Melanie Choukas-Bradley is a naturalist and award-winning author of seven nature books, including City of Trees, A Year in Rock Creek Park, Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island and The Joy of Forest Bathing. She began writing poetry during the pandemic and had the good fortune to discover Beate Sigriddaughter’s Writing in a Woman’s Voice. The site has featured several of her poems, including “How to Silence a Woman,” and “If I have loved you,” both of which won Moon Prizes. Her poetry has also appeared in New Verse News.