Original poem reprinted online here: "'To be with a koan'" by Dick Allen Originally read: December 9, 2012 More information about the Poet: Dick Allen "At first I found the humor odd, but I understand this point. It's used to break away the stereotypical Zen Master (which [in italics] is Zen" I'll admit it, when I first think of Zen Master, I think of an old bald Asian guy giving advice in riddles or a koan. Then if I delve further to popular media portrayals and then I think of David Carradine -- that portrayal of the monk who is silent, travels, well-learned. But the poem doesn't reinforce the stereotype. The mention of Hamlet, to me is more cursory than allusion even though it goes into details. Yet look at the details pointed out by the Zen Master about Hamlet, "small pigs," "tiny villages," "bee and bee keepers." There's no mention of Yorick, or murders, or play within a play -- no, it's tiny deta...
Formerly the RetailMFA, This is the Poetry Blog of Darrell Dela Cruz