POETRY - PHILOSOPHY


The Old and The New (ships that pass in the night)

Approaching a major crossroads in my life, on the border of the east and the west,
At the golden bay of Aphrodite, constructing my bamboo refuge from the sun.
A passing young Chinaman, commends me on my endeavours and enquires,
About my Tai chi training and practices, the daily pre-dusk dialogues commence.
A student from the oldest city, in perhaps the oldest existing culture of the world,
Studying and waiting for embarkation, to western civilization and culture,
Whose fascination lies in everything new, modern and sophisticated.
Contrasting my own fascination in everything ancient, sublime, esoteric and eastern
We two meet on this, our stepping stone forward, in opposite directions.
A brief pause in our respective journeys, to exchange experiences and ideas,
An interesting interaction that causes me to reflect, on the significance of our separate cultures.
Of past colonial Britain and the modern, ethnic multi-national mix of today,
Mother of the English speaking races, the evolved Indo-European tongue.
A pivotal point and ceiling, in classical European culture and history,
With classical education enabling perspective, appreciation and understanding
Of Indo-European migrations, philosophies, languages, art, literature and religion.
Their histories, conflicts, lessons and resolutions amidst the flaming,
Turbulent evolution, of European civilization and nationhood.
Of traditional China, so ancient and mysterious, colossal and populace,
Steeped in mysticism and wisdom, historically and traditionally, in culture and religion.
Of Confucian codes of conduct, for the vassal and the Emperor, all links in the chain to God.
Kindred sister too Mother India, recipient of Buddhism, martial arts and acupressure.
But the blossomed flower, master exponent and expert teacher of these gifts,
Taoism and energy masters, chi kung and energy healers, feng shui and energy balancers,
Tai chi moving meditation, philosophy in motion,
Five element system, philosophy of China, that is so unique, fine and wise.
But now a sleeping giant dragon, that is yawning and stretching,
As it slowly awakes, from it’s prolonged slumber.
It’s multitudes of people, desperate to join the race of the West, for what I am not sure.
For does anybody on this side know, what they themselves are racing for, I suspect not.
For in the words and wisdom, of the Masters and sages, of ancient China and India,
Lie the answers, resolutions and methods, of redemption from this helter skelter
Of a rat race, to frenetically possess and indulge in, more than everybody else.
This is the paradox for me, escaping the blind pursuit for materialism, looking and moving east,
To meet the flow of people from the east, ignoring their rich inheritance,
Seeking escape from their prison of poverty and restriction, who are equally mystified
At my desertion, of a modern and free England, for an archaic and restrictive old way.
This is of course yin and yang balancing, holistic harmony and globalisation in action.
We can each have our goal and role, individually and collectively to help establish,
Our future inheritance and destiny, unity and fellowship, peace and harmony,
The fifth kingdom in the fourth dimension, living mysteries revealed in Heaven on Earth.