Enjoy, But Beware!

This poem was written in response to pondering a passage from the Tao te Ching (verse 12) and through my own experience in realizing the difference between the world without and the world within. I hope it may strike a chord for you and maybe give you some added peace and confidence along your life path.

 Enjoy, But Beware!

Millions of colors forming millions of shapes,

Ever changing, transforming, recycling.

Enjoy but beware their  powers of disguise,

As they pleasingly blind the eyes.

Millions of sounds forming millions of songs,

Now dissonant and longing, bereft of belonging,

Now beautiful and bringing forth tears.

Enjoy but beware their powers of deceit

As they soothingly deafen the ears.

Yes, savor all flavors, the bitter, the sweet

Breath deeply the countless aromas.

Tenderly caress the face of a child,

Run barefoot and carefree and wild.

Enjoy but beware, the unseen snare

Ever stimulating as it weakens the senses.

Striving and achieving is constantly fleeting,

Obtaining objects can give no real power

But enter the race and take part in the chase,

Of the hunt for profit and pleasure.

Just beware of the craze as you run through your maze,

And never quite grasp the true treasure.

When you're tired of chasing and grasping and needing,

And you're ready to give it a rest;

Be still, close your eyes, slow your breath, calm your mind,

And be willing to try this small test.

Letting go your tight grasp of the world without,

Turn your attention to the other within.

Then see with true eyes and hear with true ears

And taste and savor true light.

I Am That I Am is who I Am

A chip off the block of True Life

I've existed far longer than stars and Earth

My body and mind are not me, but mine,

And all is true merry and mirth

On life's surface  I see, hear, smell, savor and touch,

What seems real, has no life of its own.

It's just a reflection to enjoy while it lasts

But true treasure is already mine

For true treasure I already Am. 

Recalling this truth, reborn and renewed

I revel and rest in joy sublime.

Then a familiar voice reminds me, after a time,

Enjoy but beware!

Once you know who you are,

Your work is not done, but has only begun.

Get back to the surface, get back in the game,

But now with new purpose, for you're not  the same.

Before you remembered the truth you once knew,

You lived for yourself and for maybe a few.

Now salt you are, and leaven, and light,

Now lift where you stand and stand for the right.

(c) John Groberg,  All Rights Reserved