samsara begins

in the hospital
amid flowers and visitors,
baby yawns and
samsara begins

here begin joy and hope,
fear and adversity,
desire and discipline

a beautiful son
formed in wondrous detail
with vibrant health in his eyes,
and a strong mother
ready for her long devotion

a new tree
planted in the old earth,
a clean slate
to be written on in
the same old language...
hopefully better stories
to be told
this time around

outside the hospital,
Rahu eats the moon
and this flashing world is restored
to primal night
for some years yet
(until chalk boards and teachers)

amid the flowers
and the cards,
(it's hard to say it)
samsara begins