Human Rights Poetry Winner - United Nations Association, Oregon division

Am I a challenge to your balance?
By Cheryl Rask

I open my heart
Even greater
To this life chance

Then he walked in
And I sitting like I normally do
The unpolished establishment

A man Tashi
He says “hi”
No native dress
Instead today
Nike sweat suit and shoes
My mind had to work hard
To create the images
He reflected for me

He worked as a shepherd
in Tibet,
His family co-existing
With the harsh conditions
Of the Natural world,
Moving their home
When the landscape decided
It was time

A tent to protect them,
Him to protect the lambs
From the eagle

All that the animals provided
Is what sustained their bodies
All living
In appreciation of the other

My mind took me to Tibet

I couldn’t bear to know if
He suffers right now
Did it hurt to know
He might never go home?
He remembers him there
Free and at Peace

We spoke of the delight
In Buddha seeing Buddha
To remind each other
Of our own essence
Leading us to peace
In this lifetime

A girl
With southern roots
A Nomad
With the winds of Tibet
In his breath
What this really means
Remains in
The sacred heart
Where there is no difference
Only light and love

I don’t know what was meant
By Wholesome Blends…

I appreciate what life gave me
To evolve
In some magical way