Hay-Ku of the Day (“I and I”)

“Still Point Peace” at the

“Heart of Awareness” Births a

“Central Sense of Self.”

“I” is a “Central

Sense of Still Point Peace” at the

“Heart of Awareness.”

“Central Still Point Peace”

Is “Embodied as a Sense”

Of “Self-Radiance.”

As “Central Still Point

Peace I Am Embodied” as

“Radiant Presence.”

[Rich Note: Well, it is becoming quite clear, here, after 40 years, that “I” will “never stop trying” to express “Perfection in Words”; however, these are transcendently close, as they inner-link to the degree of constituting a quintessential family of haiku.

They also call to mind the classic lyrics of  Bob Dylan’s “I and I,” a song from “Infidels,” that was a “mixed bag” transitional album, after a Christian period that included: “Slow Train Coming (1979),” “Saved” (1980) and “Shot of Love” (1981) — a period, once hinted at in a prophet song lyric, Bob called a “Contract with the Lord.” 

Seen in this light, “I and I” was a transitional song (somewhere between profound and profane), that evokes the same sacred, transcendental, cosmic sense and feeling, here, both “Mr. Tamborine Man” and “Every Grain of Sand” do.

Here’s a link to the song and a copy of the lyrics (which are always helpful with Bob’s non-studio performances); lyrics that I still see and feel are a “profound stream” of “divine insight and wisdom,” in “down to earth, everyman words”:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gegEFObtjI8

“I and I” Lyrics by Bob Dylan

“Been so long since a strange woman has slept in my bed

Look how sweet she sleeps, how free must be her dreams

In another lifetime she must have owned the world, or been faithfully wed

To some righteous king who wrote psalms beside moonlit streams

I and I

In creation where one's nature neither honors nor forgives

I and I

One say to the other, no man sees my face and lives

Think I'll go out and go for a walk

Not much happening here, nothing ever does

Besides, if she wakes up now, she'll just want to talk

I got nothing to say, 'specially about whatever it was

I and I

In creation where one's nature neither honors nor forgives

I and I

One say to the other, no man see my face and lives

Took an un-trodden path once, where the swift don't win the race

It goes to the worthy, who can divide the word of truth

Took a stranger to teach me, to look into justice's beautiful face

And see an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

I and I

In creation where one's nature neither honors nor forgives

I and I

One say to the other, no man sees my face and lives

Outside of two men on a train platform there's nothing in sight

They're waiting for spring to come, smoking down the track

The world could come to an end tonight, but that's all right

She could still be there sleeping when I get back.

I and I

In creation where one's nature neither honors nor forgives

I and I

One say to the other, no man sees my face and lives

Noontime, and I'm still pushing myself along the road, the darkest part

Into the narrow lanes, I can't stumble or stay put

Someone else is speaking with my mouth, but I'm listening with my heart

I've made shoes for everyone, even you, while I go barefoot

I and I

In creation where one's nature neither honors nor forgives

I and I

One say to the other, no man sees my face and lives

Songwriter: Bob Dylan

https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Hay/e/B002BLJNPE