Poem: I Tasted a Cloud
by Kimberly Graham
(Kimberly Graham wrote this poem after participating in a day-long meditation retreat with the Des Moines Meditation and Mindfulness group. It is beautiful expression of eating a meal mindfully and experiencing insight into the selfless, interdependent nature of all physical and mental phenomena.)
I Tasted a Cloud
by Kimberly Graham
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted a cloud in my vegetable soup.
The cloud, which made the rain,
which fell on the rich brown fields,
which watered the seeds,
which became the meal,
I brought to my lips today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the sun in my bread.
The sun, which shone brightly onto the rich brown fields,
which warmed the seeds,
which became the manna,
I fed to my body today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the tears in my food.
The tears, which fell poignantly onto the rich brown fields,
and joined rivers of sorrow over time,
and flowed into the ocean,
in which I washed myself today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the joy in my repast.
Joy, which burst through the sadness,
drying the rich brown fields,
balancing the sorrow over time,
that living things could grow,
and nourish at this blessed table.
(Kimberly Graham wrote this poem after participating in a day-long meditation retreat with the Des Moines Meditation and Mindfulness group. It is beautiful expression of eating a meal mindfully and experiencing insight into the selfless, interdependent nature of all physical and mental phenomena.)
I Tasted a Cloud
by Kimberly Graham
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted a cloud in my vegetable soup.
The cloud, which made the rain,
which fell on the rich brown fields,
which watered the seeds,
which became the meal,
I brought to my lips today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the sun in my bread.
The sun, which shone brightly onto the rich brown fields,
which warmed the seeds,
which became the manna,
I fed to my body today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the tears in my food.
The tears, which fell poignantly onto the rich brown fields,
and joined rivers of sorrow over time,
and flowed into the ocean,
in which I washed myself today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the joy in my repast.
Joy, which burst through the sadness,
drying the rich brown fields,
balancing the sorrow over time,
that living things could grow,
and nourish at this blessed table.