Poem written with the Play-as-Being group in mind, for our 10th Anniversary.

If We Started at the End

If we started at the end

perhaps this is a beginning

Perhaps this very celebration

Is an Original Prayer

playing as culmination

Our shared ritual of

Avatarness

Flashing in, flashing out

Of existence

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Could you see,

the ‘true person of no rank’

always coming in and going out?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

What about now?

.

His suitcase is full

of elaborate costumes

Sad mask, happy mask

Dragon tails

Sunshine and storm clouds

play across his face

.

Offering magic

to our time

Amazed am I

Am I?

.

The scene keeps changing

alterations happen,

Appreciation overwhelms

Wild open hearts suddenly

leap out

Let the stories lag

behind the Knowing.

(end)

**With thanks & apologies to Shodo Harada, Rinzai