Bloom Where You Are Planted
By Olga Choedron
Om Ah Hung …
My mother started teaching me English! Rudyard Kipling’s “If” Got me the first prize at the Sophomore English poetry recital contest. How striking, blue, and vast, and pink The Himalayan peaks by Roerich are. They captivate me even more From the window of my retreat room in Khatmandu 30 years later. Om Ah Hung Benza Guru Padma Siddhi Hung … I ate a whole lemon At school lunch, To boost my immunity for a severe Russian winter. Oh, the fun of cross-country skiing and ice-skating! I was numb and lost: My older brother was gone
Never again to be my guide and father figure. Shocking death at 26.
Reinventing myself In the face of the ever changing reality. Illusory as it is… May all beings everywhere be happy and have causes of happiness. I learned to swim, to weed, to garden, to make home fries with mushrooms and strawberry jams With my Grandpa, The retired Soviet Army Air force lieutenant colonel. I was so proud To have him as a guest of honor, Wearing his uniform and full regalia, Rows of shiny medals and awards, At the World War II Victory Day recital In kindergarten. I got access to a global door to a new reality at 6.
Om Ami Deva Hri …
He never wanted to know me Until his son left his physical body? I was 13, meeting my father at the funeral for the first time. May all beings abide in equanimity free from attachment and aversion. The puzzle of my life… Pieces missing from the start or taken away Before I knew who I was. Igor, Vera, Yefim - Two generations vanished in front of my eyes, Leaving me with more questions than a teenage mind is able to fathom.
HVWP COMMONPLACE 69
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