Morning Meditation
by Alan Brewer

In Memorium Philip Whalen
Morning meditation:
“It’s just another ding-dong day” (dreamed
a tidal wave swept over San Francisco, higher
than the Transamerica Pyramid,
I am riding a surfboard, hanging ten, singing,
“It’s just another ding-dong day.”)

One of those days.  Cat put out, mice long gone,
sit down to contemplate my navel,
end up picking lint,
scratching my stomach. 

So long enlightenment. 
Think of The Tibetan Book of the Dead
& pick up yesterday’s
newspaper to read “Dear Abby.” 

All day
stretches before me,
could be a vision of eternity
but appears blank,
just an endless to-do list. 

I contemplate
my next life
as a Bodhisattva.
Now
I embrace
my dirty laundry.