Kǒng Fūzǐ Lauded the Orchid and Added to This Is Buddha’s Lotus
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
If Solomon were also Buddha, Christ,
Confucius—all the wise minds—wrapped in one,
Hypatia thrown in, Aquinas spliced
In too, the lot of them could not have won
Our minds and hearts as Buddha’s or Christ’s flower
Held up for contemplation. Winter’s bloom
On plum trees lifted too, a sign of power
By Kǒng; plum petals fight against the doom
Of winter’s cold. Philosophies all fail
To strive against these blossoms, lilies of
The field and lotus, too. Most brains are pale
Contrasted with meaning of pure love.
Why choose a book or scroll when you can hold
A blossom that is lovelier than gold?
~ Phillip Whidden