April 25, 2024

How Many Stones Have Fallen Since?

by James C. Stephens


October 23, 1997

In deep pain

wounded, slowly bleeding

fighting an invisible foe,

wounded by brothers

Crying out

no one answers.

Does anyone understand?

Only One.

 

I look to the mountains

and heal in the quietness.

Remember there is life.

Tired of replaying other’s tapes

facing blind institutions

in at nine out at five.

 

Remembering Beggar crying in the street in Kathmandu

daughter of Nepal being stoned by brother

we interfere for a moment staying his hand

how many stones have fallen since?

 

Remote village in rain, frightened child

screaming in the night

Still pond, fog rolls in, prisoners awake before dawn

Crying out in silence

no one answers.

Does anyone understand?

 

Solitary confinement til death

Knowing sin, knowing grace

Letters wondering

is anyone there?

 


About jstephens

James C. Stephens was a graduate of a Buddhist Study Academy and a Buddhist leader for fourteen years (1970-1984). In 1978, he married Elizabeth, a Jewish Buddhist at a Buddhist temple. Following an accident in Japan in 1981 while on a Buddhist pilgrimage followed by an intense three year spiritual search through various other faiths and practices, James and Elizabeth made the decision to become disciples of Jesus Christ. James graduated in 1999 with a MA in Intercultural Studies from Fuller School of Intercultural Studies and in 2010, launched http://www.worldviews101.com/ which offers a twelve week course "A Christian Perspective on the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism."

He and his wife enjoy Landscape architecture, gardening, making kombucha and kefir, film, screenwriting, literature, and music.

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