nothing to give..

he came, this sage
and sat in the streets where the men walk by
preoccupied, not ever glancing away from their world
of desires and daydreams
he sat silently in the streets not saying a word
until a man that looked like a pauper came to him
and said, dear man why do you sit so still and silent?
not any reason spoke the sage, i am just sitting
there is nothing more to it
the pauper said, do you mind if i sit with you?
the sage said, i do not mind
so the pauper sat by him
they both sat
finally, the pauper said, i am lonely and have nothing
the sage said, i have nothing, but am not lonely
the pauper said, well, this is different.. i do not understand
well, said the sage, i am not desiring anything for all is full
and complete
oh, said the pauper, this is a good thing to hear this moment
i will sit with you awhile longer and hope to get some of this
good feeling you have
the sage laughed and said i have nothing dear man
yet i am not feeling lack
i am simply quiet inside and because of this, all is very well now
and cannot be otherwise …
i cannot understand your state my friend, but i will say, it sounds okay
to me
i wish to be like you, but i am very tired and old and need
comfort for my weary bones
dear sir, said the sage, you are quite well too in spirit --
look over there, the sky is a brilliant red, how it glows of life
yes indeed, it is pretty spoke the pauper
look too, at the puddles of water on the street, how they sparkle of life
yes indeed they do spoke the pauper
you are a funny man, said the pauper -- i will sit awhile longer and then
go from you so you can enjoy your time…
as you wish said the sage
i know not what to give you for you are the same as me dear soul
look within yourself and do not keep wanting to be different
the lord has made you the same as i
how can i give you something that you already are
this sounds odd to me said the pauper -- i am not really getting this
but i wil mull it over a bit here and there …
but for now, enjoy your time and thank you for speaking of yourself
the sage did not say anything else -- what could he say?
there are no words to express this beauty that is of life,
love and stillness
and lives within all hearts equally
and without end...
he just sat and all was well with him
and this was all…


om shanti