Worth Reading

Thought that come my way

[akh33]

Bhutan

When winds again may cool your brow when climbing high and low again. when you must wipe the sweat away remember then Bhutan and know.

The mountains there all cast in snow and forest tall just weeping rain remember then and hear you say Bhutan is etched upon my brow.

For timeless is that land and frail because its openness lies prey to ev'ry prying eye and hand so keep it safe within your grail.

A.K. Hellum October 4, 2004

~ after a repeat visit there when much of the peace and quiet I found had gone because there were too many visitors there now compared to 1988-90.

[akh33]

Creation Hymn

Not even nothing existed then No air yet, nor a heaven. Who encased and kept it where? Was darkness in the water there? Neither deathlessness nor decay. No, nor the rhythm of night and day: The self-existent with breath sans air: That, and that alone was there. Darkness was in darkness found Like light-less water all around. One emerged, with nothing on It was from heat that this was born. Into it, Desire, it's way did find; The primordial sea born of mind. Sages know deep in the heart: What exists is kin to what does not. Across the void the cord was thrown, Seed-sowers and powers now came by, Impulse below and force on high. Who really knows, and who can swear, How creation came, when or where! Even gods came after creation's day, Who really knows, who can truly say When and how did creation start? Did He do it? Or did He not? Only He, up there, knows, maybe; Or perhaps, not even He.

Translation by V.V. Raman

University of Rochester,  NY, USA.

[akh33]

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced or cried aloud Under the bludgeoning of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate How charged with punishments the soul. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. William Ernest Henley