"For a Son as He Moves On Into This World" by Bruce Gunther

For a Son as He Moves On Into This World

Stilling the turbulent waters of the heart, I wait now for the lotus to open. — Saigyo

Let the right word blossom. When it blooms place it in its proper order.

Let yourself become dusty with the joyous toil of life. It can sustain you.

Let your body squeeze between the lines of your favorite haiku. Live there for a day.

Let rain fall on your love’s eyelashes until they glisten and become stars.

Let yourself journey to a body of water. Watch it shiver under a new moon.

Let steely concentration sharpen your senses. You may find what you’re looking for in the sliver
of a moment.

Let the snows of December signal a retreat. Burrow into the long silence.

Let wisdom come. Cultivate your mental garden.

Let your soul and its sensitivities expand in ever-widening circles.

Let life be distilled to a single drop. It has something to do with love.

BRUCE GUNTHER

Bruce Gunther is a former journalist and writer who lives in Michigan. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University. His poems have appeared in The Dunes Review, Remington Review, Cacti Fur, Modern Haiku, and many others.

Headshot: Trish Gunther

Photo Credit: Staff