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John Brehm’s poem, Metta, was the inspiration for this project. I found more great poems by other poets in his anthology, “The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness and Joy”.I built a display anticipating an outdoor exhibition of some kind where people could walk from poem to poem and enjoy them. Cindy Worthington-Berry, First Congregational Church in Natick, loved the idea of bringing poetry to the public as well. We now have this wonderful setting for people to enjoy poetry outdoors.

We hope you enjoy these poems. I think John Brehm would suggest you be present with them and take your time. The more times you read a poem the greater the reward.

-Tom Gilligan

Tom Gilligan is retired and lives with his wife, Anne, in Natick. He loves photography and creating art. His website is: tomgilliganphotos.com

The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness and Joy, edited by John Brehm

In his introduction to The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness and Joy, John Brehm writes:

“Mindfulness of impermanence leads to joy. Living in the full knowledge that everything changes changes everything. It loosens our grasp and lets the world become what it truly is, a source of amazement and amusement.”

“When we let go of insisting that we are who we think we are and that the world should give us exactly and only what we want, all things shine forth.”

“The poems gathered here point to a different way of being in the world. When Ryokan, on his daily rounds of alms gathering, is hijacked by the village children, he happily puts aside his begging bowl and joins in their singsongs and kickball.”

I kick the ball and they sing, they kick and I sing,
Time is forgotten, the hours fly.
People passing by point at me and laugh:
“Why are you acting like such a fool?”
I nod my head and don’t answer.
I could say something but why?
Do you want to know what’s in my heart?
From the beginning of time: just this! just this!