how to disappear by

how to disappear

by Posted on

a meditation

AudioIndependent ProjectPoetryPortfolio
 
Abe-Libman_How-to-disappear_Poetry_IND_1B
Abe-Libman_How-to-disappear_Poetry_IND_2B
Abe-Libman_How-to-disappear_Poetry_IND_3B
Abe-Libman_How-to-disappear_Poetry_IND_4B
Abe-Libman_How-to-disappear_Poetry_IND_5B
Abe-Libman_How-to-disappear_Poetry_IND_6B

According to Rabbi Bunim of P’shiskha, everyone should have two pockets, each containing a slip of paper. On one should be written: I am but dust and ashes, and on the other: For my sake the world was created. From time to time we must reach into one pocket, or the other. The secret of living comes from knowing when to reach into each.

The first phrase is spoken by Abraham when he realizes that he’s bargaining with God over S’dom (סדום) and `Amora (עמורה) – Sodom and Gomorrah:

וְאָנֹכִי עָפָר וָאֵפֶר

V’anokhi `afar va’efer

I am but dust and ashes

Genesis 18:27

The second phrase is from the Talmud, illustrating that we are all unique individuals, though we are formed from the same mould:

בשבילי נברא העולם

bishvili nivra’ ha`olam

The world was created for me

Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 37B

Sources

http://www.rishon-rishon.com/archives/064901.php

http://dorsheitzedek.org/writings/two-pockets

I wrote this poem based on the prompt “how to disappear.” It is intended to serve as a meditation that the reader can use to consider the relative insignificance of earthly concerns when compared with the sheer grandeur of the universe.

It is written in a circle so that the reader can experiment with starting at different points in the poem. By reading through the phrases mindfully, the reader might achieve the desired results of gaining a sense of  profound awareness, or perhaps transcendence.

 
Back to Top