A raspberry stain on horizon's hem slowly melts into orange sherbet then is washed away into the blue sea of sky
Cloud suds are now all that remain on the vast ocean of day spreading out before the eye
Sun's flame chases frigid shadows, thawing all that is removed from the icebox of night
Leftovers from yesterday's meal, crumbs from a previous day brown in wakeful blight
What is a butterfly dream and what is waking state Chuang Tzu once asked his monks
The answer came from water in a bucket thrown from a follower standing by their bunks
Awakened, eyes opened, the enlightened one looked to the water thrower and said
You have answered the question without words you will take my place when I am dead
-
Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: June 6th, 2026 02:53
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 57
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, Paul Bell, Teddy.15, Carlos Alberto BUSTILLOS, NafisaSB
- In collections: Enlightenment, Nature.

Offline)
Comments9
good write my friend
Thank you Norman it is appreciated
most welcome
A fascinating poetic journey here from the sky as a raspberry stain to ornage sherbet to Chuang Tzu philosophy.It has it all. Excellent
Thanks so much David for the read and comment your words are most valued
Rich, vivid imagery of the horizon, cloud and sun. Well crafted. Enjoyable read, Soren.
Thank you Katie for the read and kind words of encouragement they are most appreciated
Soren, this speaks to something I've always appreciated in contemplative writing...the idea that insight often arrives through experience rather than explanation. The poem captures that beautifully. Sometimes a single moment reveals more than a hundred lectures ever could. Powerful work, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Bang! once again you have hit it on the head my friend. It is that very point that links the two passages. One can explain it in words and paint the picture poetically but it is the experiencing it that makes the difference. Music putting poetry to song helps in this venture but still one has to experience the incident itself to really know it. How can I explain red to a blind man? I deeply appreciate your reviews and insightful remarks my friend
I'm back again - or until another blip cuts me off again. Good write SB.
Thanks for the read my find so glad you got back from the event horizon. Appreciate your review
Yes, sometimes the guy who punches you in the face resonates more than the guy who lectures you to death with flannel.
Thanks Paul for the review yes that is a very Zen thing to do.
Extraordinary poetry every last line. Wonderful sorrenbarret and how I do love philosophy 🌹
Thanks so much my friend for the read and comment it is most valued
The Butterfly Dream is one of those Readings
that puts your Brain in a tangle.
Like a Tree falling in a Wood, and no ones around: Does it make a noise?
A good Write again.
Thanks Kevin for the read and comment it is most appreciated and valued
what a wonderful and rhapsodic write - fantasttic
Thank you so much Nafisa for the review and most generous words. They are most appreciated and valued my friend
you are constantly appreciated and i hope to keep reading your contributions for a long long time...keep them coming
You are very kind Nafisa and most appreciated as well
thank you and God bless you and yours
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.