I want
the Dalai Lama's
laugh,
that full throat rumble
straight from the Buddha belly
free
and smooth
as a strong stream
moving
big rocks
inexorably.
I want that laugh
and the wisdom
to let loose with it
often.
I have no doubt that the Dalai Lama's laugh is powerful enough to free Tibet.
Years ago I was lucky enough to see the Dalai Lama in a small room at Harvard Divinity School and wrote this poem about it. Last week, a friend told me that he and his wife were going to a workshop with the Dalai Lama in PA and another friend wrote about his urge to laughter while practicing Zen meditation. So it seems the time is ripe to publish the poem.