Contemplating the unattractive nature of the body debilitates sensual lust, the first of the five hindrances … By mentally dissecting the body into its organs, tissues and fluids, we see that “the mark of the beautiful” that fuels sensual desire is merely a subjective projection superimposed on a collection of unappealing parts.
—Bhikkhu Bodhi, “The Four Protective Meditations,” Tricycle, Summer 2012
My dear, the Buddhist monk could not have known
when he suggests my mind dissect your parts
how beautiful your lungs, medulla, bones.
Such gold streams through your bile ducts! I’d clone
your pineal gland. Your thymus is fine art.
My dear, the Buddhist monk could not have known
the curve of your amygdale, how toned
your cerebellum, spleen so red so dark,
how beautiful your pancreas, your bones.
I’d make mosaics of your kidney stones
and build an altar for your muscled heart.
My dear, the Buddhist monk could not have known
how all your parts appeal so. I’ve grown
to love your splanchnopleura, liver marks,
your beautiful esophagus, your bones,
your hypothalamus, untamed hormones.
My favorite? Man, I don’t know where to start.
I’m sure that Buddhist monk could not have known
how beautiful your ganglions, your bones.
Very wicked, this villanelle. You got it packed with a lot of terminology to play with that hindrance thing, though I like the way you twist that monk’s advice around. The title is such a fine twist. And how you address “My Dear” throughout, sorta imposes the love on the poem. Here’s the music for me:
“the curve of your amygdale, how toned
your cerebellum, spleen so red so dark,
how beautiful your pancreas, your bones.
I’d make mosaics of your kidney stones…”
But of course the whole thing is music, down to its little staples — I hear ya!
repeatedly, i’ve been told how surgeons and morticians are sometimes struck speechless by the beauty of human organs. every so often, they stop their rote cuttings and such, and actually take a look at the “inner beauty” of the body before them.
sorry, bodhi-san. this, too, is sensually pleasing.
What a brilliant villanelle! I love the density, especially so richly carried off in sound. Hey, if Samsara is the price for such a keen appreciation, on with the cycle (or at least that’s the view from my apostate alcove 😉 ).
Thanks dear Uche … An apostate alcove! Makes me want one just so I can say it!
R