poetry by changming yuan

SPIRIT'S SECRETS

1. In every temple of meaning resides a spirit that tries to become a god through concentration.

2. All wonders of the human world are decorated hotels for the traveling Soul.

3. Many already stone dead are still very much alive, while many still very much alive are already stone dead.

4. Spirit is immortal according to the law of conservation of matter.

5. It is a strong mind that can gather all the gossamers of selfhood and turn them into a single whole known as the Soul.

6. If we put all the shadows of Spirit together, we would have a different kind of night.

7. Dream is the only realm where humans, spirits, ghosts and gods can meet face to face.

8. Every body is a spirit cage.

9. Does a pine tree or a wild cat also have a spirit?

10. As an energy form of consciousness, Spirit never dies in the universe although it may go through numerous processes of change.  If it is strong enough, it can not only outlive the body, but also transform itself into Soul.  Depending on whether it has a categorical superpower, Soul can become ghost or god.  That is to say, every human being can become a supernatural being.

 

Changming Yuan grew up in rural China and published three books before moving to Canada.  With a PhD in English, Yuan currently works in Vancouver and has had over 150 poems appearing in CV2, Dalhousie Review, dANDelion, Descant, London Magazine (UK), Porcupine (US), Private (IT), Stylus (AU) and others.

 

 

 

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