Thus I have heard:

The three characteristics

of existence

So nobly proclaimed by

the Buddha

twenty-five hundred

years ago

Apply to all times

all places

all sentient beings:

Dukkha! Anicca! Anatta!

Translate into the here

and now:

Life is hard and will put

you through

The changes.

But don’t take it

personally.

From the Spring 1984 issue of Inquiring Mind (Vol. 1, No. 1)

Text © 1984–2023 by Wes Nisker