Dean Okamura

 

Meditations of Capricorn

Young Capricorn:

Let me voice my prayer
without invoking higher powers.
My plea is not sacred,
not seeking alms or blessings.
Stripped of ritual veneer,
laid bare. My yearning,
unclothed, unadorned,
clear as Aquarius’ dawn,
sweeps the shadows
of my worldly heart,
underneath a night
of shooting stars.

 

Old Capricorn: [1]

Let me voice my prayer
without invoking higher powers.
My plea is not sacred,
not seeking alms or blessings.
Stripped of ritual veneer,
laid bare. My yearning,
unclothed, unadorned,
clear as Aquarius’ dawn,
sweeps the shadows
of my worldly heart,
now worn and weary,
after a lifetime of service.

 

The weight of years,
burdens carried long,
presses upon my shoulders,
once broad and stalwart,
now bowed and faltering.
Memories flickering
like fading, distant stars.

 

I've navigated tumultuous seas
of public acclaim and scrutiny,
weathered storms of doubt,
and basked in fleeing rays
of triumph and acclaim.
But now, twilight deepens,
underneath a night
of shooting stars.

---

[1] Italics added by speech writers

The light is amazing

Open the window,
Let in the light.
Maybe we don't pray enough,
Or not even at all.
Whether we believe,
Or not,
We seek the greater lights.

 

The light struggles to change our minds.
We assume we know the answers.
Which may be true, but all
Sense of proportion, fairness has sunk.

 

I consume the sun's energy
Contained in plants.
Their energy merges with my energy.

 

Open the door,
Let the light wash your soul,
My soul.
The answers are all around us.

 

If only we could shine.

 

To push us

There is something to learn from
          the elderly man
                    walking with a cane,
in the slow pace
the quiet determination.

 

He moves untied to the energy of
          his grandchildren
                    dancing in their seats
talking, laughing while
eating their food.

 

So easy to be enchanted by the children.
Easier to look away from the old man.
Ignore the crowds of people rushing around.

 

It's then we see the diversity of
          people moving
                    at different paces
in their life journey
in this marketplace.

 

Yet, today, the silent cane strikes loud
          it strikes us how
                    it does not thud,
not to push him
nor power each step.

 

We imagine the cane has become
          invisible to him
                    a level of protection,
reestablish balance
avert total collapse.

 

His demeanor shows he accepts
          his faithful body
                    despite its weakness,
today's troubles
will be settled.

 

He has advanced to another decade
          found peace where
                    worry once reigned,
solace in a time of
constant chaos.

 

We asked him, what was the greatest
          lesson that you learned
                    during your lifetime?
He stared at the wall
put his hand in his pocket.

 

The elderly man walked without a word,
          paused, turned
                    toward us,
smiled and said,
I know nothing.

 

I know nothing. Excuse me,
          we are going to the park.
                    I have to push
my grandkids
on the swings.