an old writer and his words

  • DOMICILE (Corrected Version)

    NOTE: My new book is here at last. My latest collection of poetry and short stories has just been published by Plain View Press. Since you have been following and reading my work if you would like more information about Free of the Shadow, just click here for a special offer. I read my poemto…

    Lou Faber

  • GUTEI RAISES A FINGER 無門關 三

    One finger,a moment Guteione finger, that wayone finger, unity what have you learnedone finger,cut off,a moment in all directions no direction but stilla unity. A reflection on Case 3 of the Mumonkan 無門関 (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • HYAKUJO’S FOX 無門關 二

    The old, crippled foxcrawled slowly from the mouthof the dark cave. Sidling up to Hayakujothe old monk said to fox,“think fox, useno mind to thinkno thing. Fox paused in reflection.Cremated bones, fleshand fur were lovingly buriedin a monk’s funeral. A reflection on Case 2 of the Mumonkan 無門関 (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • PUEBLO CHRISTMAS

    The night is that bitter coldthat slices easily throughnylon and Polartec, makeschild’s play of fleece and denim.The small rooms glowin the dim radiance of propane lightsand heaters as the silveris carefully packed awayin plastic tool boxes.The pinyon wood is neatly stackedin forty pyres, some little tallerthan the white childrenclinging to their parents’ legs,some reaching twenty-five…

    Lou Faber

  • NOVEMBER EVENING

    He sits calmly in the cornerof the restaurant redolent with curryand cardamom.He smiles, unseen,his third eyes staresdeeply felt on the backof my neck.Her eyes draw me inoffering a serenity,she smiles freelyand I recall the parkin the shadow of the mountainsthe soft touch of velvetand the empressalongside the fool.It is too soon donebut the soft furof…

    Lou Faber

  • ADVICE COLUMN

    As I have aged, I have learnedthat when I need advice and my wifeis not available or chooses not tocomment, I can turn to friendsand relatives who have diedfor their advice is usually quiteon point and needs no interpretation.I have not known them to misleador to suggest what I cannot imaginepossible, for they say and…

    Lou Faber

  • WANDERER

    He wandered into the labyrinthin search of what he could not remember,perhaps sudden enlightenment, perhapsa haloed monk, perhaps his history.He wondered if Buddha wassecretly a saint, if he could bea working man Buddha, if anythingreally mattered, if there was no exit,if there was a way out and at what cost.He hated the silence, knew that…

    Lou Faber

  • GAZING

    She says that for a small fee shecan guide me through my prior lives,introduce me to former loves, let mewatch the battles in which I fought,shield me from scenes of battlein which I died or was wounded.She says I will see many I now knowin my present, recognize how wewere once connected so our presentconnections…

    Lou Faber

  • SHISHUANG’S A SINGLE HAIR PIERCES INNUMERABLE HOLES

    If you ask whenyou might find nirvanaa wise teacherwill tell you that youwill never find it.Do not be downcasthe may add, for youare seeking somethingthat can neverexist in the future.There is only nowso how can therebe a when? A reflection on Case 85 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye) 正法眼蔵

    Lou Faber

  • THE FAR SHORE

    The old monkstanding alongsidethe ever still pondpicks up a pebbleand tosses itinto the pond.The ripplesspread outever wideras the Buddhaon the far shoresimply smiles.

    Lou Faber