Sample KU-CHE by Beth Fairchild (books for 10th graders .TXT) 📕

entices it into bloom.

A caterpillar navigates a branch

searching for the perfect spot to pitch its cocoon.

A woodpecker taps the trunk in its own hungry search.

Roots feeling the weight

of all that depend upon them

burrow deep and wide.

In satisfying their thirst,

They give life and support.

I look upon the tree

but I do not see it

until I see

that when I sit in its shade

it too gives to me.

Sun and wind

leaf, bloom and branch  

trunk and root

caterpillar, woodpecker and I—

we are all one.

—Ha-Tē, 1st CE.

2.1

Practitioners of

Being in the Way (Mu-Chē)

are like a high broad dam

that obstructs

the river's natural flow.

Commentary

Mu-Chē was the name the Ku-Cheans gave to the male dominated religion that came to power in the Bu-Hu (Time of Sorrow). Mu-Cheans referred to themselves as the Cho-Zŭn (To rule). The Mu-Chean Profits and Yz-Gīs advocated and helped enforce the expansion of the No-Sā order that blocked all outward forms of communication by females. The Mu-Chē were being in the way of good ol’ girl talk.

2.2

Blocking

the natural flow

accumulates and stores

negative energy.

Commentary

Obstruct the airway and suffocation follows.

Pinch the nerve and pain erupts.

—No-Won (ca. 2nd c. BCE)

Damming a river bed will obstruct the natural flow of water, causing the river to back up. But ultimately, nothing can stop the river. The higher the restricted water rises behind the dam; the greater the pressure becomes. Either the pressure must be released, as with a spillway, or the dam will eventually burst, washing away everything in its path.

2.3

Negativity

is the

energy of destruction;

it only appears to

create things like

the ocean of commotion,

where no matter

the wind or the tide,

one never comes to the shore.

Commentary

Many caring people attempt to make the world a better place by expending great personal energy fighting things that threaten to do some perceived harm. Engaging in and being invested in negating the negative, we incrementally and inevitably add to the negativity around and within ourselves. Our peace becomes collateral damage in our fight against the big bad thing that we fear will overtake us. Changing our focus to see the good and building upon it builds better relationships, better communities and also betters ourselves.

2.4

Thus,

the one

who blocks

or obstructs

is a dam nuisance.

Commentary

AMEN!

Text: Beth Fairchild
Editing: Shira Nahari
Translation: Beth Fairchild
Publication Date: 03-15-2013

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