Don't Die Again

I love when poems I have published get shared like this, even though I and the book from which it came are very often not credited. This poem comes from my Penguin publication The Gift, pages 71 & 72.

https://graceindependent.jigsy.com/entries/general/don-t-die-again-hafiz

I was told there is a fascinating and personal story about Hafiz connected to this poem; Hafiz recited something close to this when he was asked: “Which of your poems has the greatest utility for the world—and offers the greatest alchemy stone if put to use, imbibed, practiced? And, which of your poems might have most safeguarded and empowered your beloved son, had he lived?"

I have been a life time walker, and hiker; it is my primary source of exercise. And I started to put this poem into practice some 25 years ago. I started out with five minutes a day a couple times a week. It has since turned into something vital for me— now it’s every day; I even find myself doing this walking around in the house, or in a store. I now cling to this silent remembrance (of a “divine Name” I personally feel akin to, as you might), indeed as Hafiz says: “as a life raft,” moreover, now as a ticket to a different dimension. This practice truly seems to have honed and expanded my pen's ability; and my vision, sounds, laugh, and touch. And can reveal Buddha's tail sticking out from everywhere sometimes, which then— why not grab hold of? And really crank the party up!

Thank you, Grace Independent, for sharing this poem with so many; for so many years! And indeed...

           'O, say it brother. O, say a divine name, dear sister,

                                silently as you walk.'