This Knife I Give You

by Joseph J. Nagarya

In Zen,
all that’s left to you
is to laugh.

In this life,
all that’s left to do
is kindness.

This knife I give you
is to cut the meanness
out of our hearts.

In this life,
all that’s left to do
is kindness.

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Joseph J. Nagarya is an artist who chose writing, over visual art and music,
beginning circa March, 1965; and writing–song lyrics (experimental) prose, poetry,
law–has remained central and paramount through various careers, primarily in
community work. Poetry is an ever-increasing, necessary passion. His ambition is
to be recognized, at long last, not as a rock star, but as the famous, and famously
elusive, “Anonymous,” the most prolific author the world has ever known.