Quintessence of Now

 

Today I hear the grass growing.
oh yes I can too, hear it growing
afar I hear the cattle lowing
and that is why, I  hear
the grass is growing.
I have never been to sea
never held life so dear
the world is before me!
I've never seen it this clear.
I breathe, as do millions, at this moment.
This moment, I run my gaze up
and down this field, the earth
is good smelling, I can see
and hear other things too. I'm aware
of hot winds elsewhere
in stretches of clean desert,
in jaded woods, or in thick tropics
My brethren live also
in fields like this one, or in cities
the barren tundra even,
or the frozen waters of the North
one gaze can see it all
if I but stand here, quite still
and listen to the grass grow.
sad, happy, in rich health or poor
the expanse of life, that's here and now
is so much possible, I don't know how.
Let me, let me stand
on the shoulders of giants,
I've never seen things this far.
Hark! That haunting, rising lilt
that music, it moves! I've never
heard it so deep. This peach,
my nose! Never kissed one so sweet
those are this minute born
they know not what I mean
them that leave today
will never see the morrow's morn.
O carry on, World. But lend me a pause
I would that we stop a while,
and be thankful. But if time
should freeze in this frame
I might die alert now.
How long, have I been alive?
I ask myself. Had I been dead
some years as well?
Not anymore, not now!
Today I heard the grass growing,
oh yes I did too, hear it grow
afar I see the cattle leaving
and in triumph I stand,
in this gloaming.

 
Paige Chia
 

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