One-a-Day Zen Poems

Tuesday

“Something Good is Bound to Happen”

I’m a big fan of zen.

Once I realized what it was.

Funny, but I had it all along

And didn’t know it.

You have to relax 

And let the beauty of it

Come down and through

And into you, 

In order for it to work.

Sometimes, that’s the hard part.

Letting go and relaxing.

So don’t worry if it hasn’t 

Happened to you yet.

There’s still plenty of time.

Remember, whatever 

Should happen, will happen.

Just keep yourself ready.

Listen to your heart.

And read my zen poems.

If you do then I guarantee

Eventually something good 

Is bound to happen…

To at least one of us.

Wednesday

“Morning Zen”

With the morning sun 

I feel my zen rising.

I suppose I’m a morning person, 

As they call it.

But really I’m just a person.

Morning, noon or night.

I have my victories and defeats.

Like you do.

One day I’ll be dead.

Then it won’t matter 

Which was which.

And if it won’t matter 

Which was which after I’m dead,

Why would it matter now?

Zen!

Thursday

“Listening for My Zen”

I thought I heard my zen calling,

So I listened with all my might.

But it was only the wind.

The wind which constantly rushes 

From the mountains to the sea.

And back again.

The wind that never rests.

Don’t listen to the wind as it rushes past.

You’re just wasting your time.

Real zen comes from within.

Try listening there.

After all, it’s in our souls

To feel such things.

Search your heart and see the truth of that.

There!

With a little soul-searching 

A new beginning has been made…

Zen!

Friday

“I Found Some Zen in a Palm Tree”

I found some zen today in a palm tree.

It must have been there a long time, 

For the palm is quite old.

Or maybe it was just resting in the palm tree 

When I happened along and found it.

Who knows?

Not me.

Zen’s like that.

It can be anywhere.

Anytime.

Waiting to be found.

Saturday

“I Saw My Zen in the Clouds Today”

I saw zen in the clouds today.

But that’s no trick.

Zen is everywhere.

If you know how to look.

Sunday

“My Zen Pulls Me Through”

In a tight spot

My zen pulls me through.

It always has.

Through what 

I’m not completely sure.

It’s difficult to know these days.

Although I try to hide it,

I ain’t so smart.

It’s a good thing my zen 

Knows what it’s doing.

Your’s does too,

Whether you realize it or not.

That’s the beauty of it!

Monday

“My Zen is Free For The Taking!”

My zen doesn’t come cheap,

Yet it’s free for the taking.

How is that, I wonder?

Oh well.

This world is full of contrasts,

And doesn’t always make sense.

Hardly ever does, really.

Make sense I mean.

That is the way of the world.

But it would be nice 

If this poem made sense.

So to get back to my point…

My zen is free for the taking!

You see, zen is like love.

The more you give away…

The more you gather in.

So please, take some with you.

To nourish you on your journey.

Or for any other reason you choose.

After all, it’s your zen too 

And always was,

To do with as you please.

Go ahead. Help yourself!

Don’t worry about me.

I’ll be fine.

Remember, there is an endless supply 

Of zen in the universe.

Plenty for all.

Animator’s Zen

There’s been a lot of talk this week about the closing of an attraction at Disney's Hollywood theme park called The Magic of Disney Animation. 

That got me to thinking.

May I share my thoughts in the form of a zen moment?

Animator’s Zen

Between 1976 and 2004 I made my living 

As a film animator.

1976 to 2004.

That’s (let me see) 28 years!

If my arithmetic is correct.

You'd better double-check those figures.

(I’m an artist, 

Not a mathematician.)

I animated by hand.

That is I drew each frame of film for a movie

(Up to twenty-four of them per second of screen time)

Using pencil and paper.

No computers.

Oh, the things my pencil brought to cartoon life!

Mice, ducks, elephants, rabbits, lions, aliens, humans,

Horses, bears, goats, gorillas, goannas, gargoyles. 

And other things that are harder to describe.

Of course,

Like us all I started at the bottom.

There’s a saying in the animation business,

“It ain’t easy!”

And boy, did I learn the truth of that statement.

But with perseverance and some good luck,

(And my zen don’t forget)

I eventually rose up a little within my profession.

After many years of hard work I became

An overnight success.

I was hired to draw

For Walt Disney Feature Animation.

The Big Time at last.

There I got to work 

(Or should I say play?) 

With some famous cartoon movie stars.

Stars I’d loved as a child, such as

Mickey Mouse.

Donald Duck.

Goofy.

Dumbo.

Pluto.

Winnie the Pooh.

And new stars I helped bring to life like

Roger Rabbit.

Beast.

Gaston.

Jafar.

Stitch.

Khan.

Koda.

And plenty more,

But they’re the ones that come easily to mind.

And let’s not forget 

All the wonderful people 

I met in the business,

Both artists and management,

Who showed me the possibilities of cinematic animation art,

While mentoring me to my own higher artistic attainment,

As well as showing me personal kindnesses uncountable.

I love you!

I’m so glad we shared some time

Creating those wonderful movies together,

On our journey through this life into infinity!

28 Years of animation.

Fifteen of them at Disney.

It didn’t seem that long.

It went by like a flash.

Like life.

It goes by a lot faster 

If we enjoy it.

And it’s over in a flash.

So smile and be happy!

That’s what life is for.

Don’t waste it being a sourpuss!

Remember there is an endless supply of zen in the universe!

Plenty for everybody!

With zen on your side,

You’ve got nothing to worry about.

And Mr Disney,

You who advised that 

Wishing upon a star 

Might make our dreams come true,

If you’re listening wherever you are,

Mr Disney,

Thank you for the opportunity 

For me 

To realize 

Mime.

I dedicate this zen moment 

To those 

Who worked for 

Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida

Between 1989 and 2004.

Your kindness is not forgotten

By a brash and reckless artist.

The cinematic moments you made 

Have lasted a generation’s lifetime.