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Poetry | December 2012

8-year-old Buddha

By Jill Rosenthal

On a walk
With my 8-year-old daughter,
All she can speak of
Is what happens next.
“Live in the moment,” I say.
“You’re missing right now.
Take me, for example,
I’m enjoying the sunshine,
Watching the people,
And thinking about
What a nice lunch we’ll have.”
“Ha,” she says,
“That’s in the future!”
Humbled and delighted
By her grasp of my meaning,
I say “Good point, I’ll try again.
I’m thinking how lovely it is
To walk in the sunshine
Holding my daughter’s hand.”
“Ha,” she says,
Dropping my hand.
“That’s in the past!”

24 replies on “8-year-old Buddha”

Sarah Msays:
December 3, 2012 at 2:05 pm

Wonderful!

Reply
Kipper Adamssays:
December 3, 2012 at 5:59 pm

Well written, Mom. Well played,daughter!

Reply
Mikesays:
December 3, 2012 at 6:00 pm

Perfect!

Reply
Amy Hsays:
December 3, 2012 at 6:26 pm

Love it!! Sounds just like my daughter!!

Reply
Carolynsays:
December 3, 2012 at 7:02 pm

I LOVE THIS so sweet, so perfect, so love your daughter! XO

Reply
D. Johnsonsays:
December 3, 2012 at 8:27 pm

Lovely poem.

Reply
Anastaciasays:
December 3, 2012 at 9:03 pm

Love! Now, in the future ….and the past :)

Reply
Jillsays:
December 3, 2012 at 10:39 pm

Beautiful and funny! So insightful.

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Elya Bradensays:
December 5, 2012 at 2:07 pm

Congrats Jill! I loved that poem when I first heard it and it’s wonderful to see your writing out in the world!

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Alexis Rhone Fanchersays:
December 6, 2012 at 7:06 pm

What a delightful poem! Just terrific!

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eric asays:
December 8, 2012 at 10:28 am

This poem could be an ancient Chinese Proverb. There are many lessons hidden in its simple story. You must be the Dalai Mama

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Georgisays:
December 8, 2012 at 10:55 am

I absolutely LOVE it!!!! I also just watched the “Avoiding Penetration” YouTube link in the info box. It is so hilarious and enlightening. You’re absolutely amazing. Keep writing please!

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Elizabeth Jacksonsays:
December 8, 2012 at 11:17 am

I love it! Very visual and very internal at the same time! It awakens both worlds:-)

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Ric Kinnansays:
December 8, 2012 at 11:34 am

Nice work (keeping it close to home)!

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Kevinsays:
December 8, 2012 at 11:54 am

This is beautiful Jill!

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Jan Msays:
December 8, 2012 at 11:57 am

the brilliance of this sweet piece is in this smile it’s plastered on my face! love this moment…love this poet. more from her please, dear publisher…encore, encore

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Vicki Silvasays:
December 8, 2012 at 11:57 am

Awesome…

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Ash Adamssays:
December 8, 2012 at 12:04 pm

Fantastic.

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Melissasays:
December 8, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Destined to be a classic. I read it to my 6-year old son and it sparked a wonderful conversation about enjoying the moment. We spend our whole lives working to ‘be here now’. Such a simple concept, but so tricky too. What an incredibly important life lesson for a Mom to introduce to her (clever, precocious) daughter.

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Evelyn Stettinsays:
December 8, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Sweet! They’re always one (or more) steps ahead of us!

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Jack Grapessays:
December 9, 2012 at 9:09 am

What a great reminder of how our kids one-up us constantly. And it’s just what we wanted all along.

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Jamie H.says:
December 10, 2012 at 8:22 pm

Beautiful!

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B Saxsays:
December 12, 2012 at 12:46 pm

A wonderful story, beautifully written!

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lisa segalsays:
January 4, 2013 at 11:02 am

Oh, yeah . . .
you have the gift, all right.
You not only see it,
but you tell it
like only you can.

Reply

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