Art by Mark D Viraj
Our lives are wind and rapid water,but our story is undying.
Even as flesh becomes flower fodder
And our last kin finish crying,
The deeds of our life, the way we fought,
are an aperture on the film of time.
The Warrior’s valor comes not from glory sought,
but service to all mundane and sublime.
To be a shield against the cold gray night,
the sword for a helpless child.
When horizon shows no monsters to devour,
may the Warrior be not beguiled;
FOR THE GAOLER’S ARE COMING TO CAGE THE FREE,
and the Warriors wield the people’s key.
Written 01/21/2012
Are we supposed to actively try and shift the collective fucking consciousness, or just breed and hope for the best?
Awesome, thank you.
I say, “Let’s shift the collective consciousness!” This poem is perfect for how I responded to having cancer, and now I am a Warrior! Thanks Aubrey and Ozziebattla for posting!
Hi Aubrey,
This poem (“The Sage Replies”) is really bad ass, and I’m a huge fan of what you’re doing. I feel I have gleaned some invaluable bits of ancient forgotten wisdom from your shared experiences and writing. Thank you for your openness, honesty, sense of humor and willingness to share your profound experiences with the world. I have had a few similar experiences myself, but you have helped me fully wake from my slumber.
Your stories, all of your podcasts, your appearances on JRE (especially the one with Steven Pressfield…I l really enjoyed your explanation of “Self Love”) and your podcasts inspired me to make an album with all of my own music. I started writing my own songs about two years ago, but I really started to believe that I had some good songs in me after listening to the JRE podcast with you and Steven Pressfield and reading the War of Art. My album is nearly finished now and should be available on iTunes soon (currently the album is comprised 100% of my own arrangements on guitar, my own lyrics and vocals, and I’m pretty proud of what I have accomplished.) However, I was wondering if I could get your permission to turn this poem in to a song to include on the album? This poem is really beautiful, and I think it fits really well with the rest of my lyrics. I would not alter your words at all; I would really just like to arrange some guitar parts and use the poem for the lyrics. I’d be happy to send you a free copy of my album. My email is ztschanz@gmail.com.Thank you for all of your hard work, and for the inspiration that you provided me. I can honestly say that you have altered the course of my life for the better.
Zach
Yes, thank you