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I, Me and Other
Poetry by Gill Schwartz


LETHOLOGY
The Science of Forgetfulness
(Named for the "River Lethe" in Greek Mythology)

The endless cluttering of mind and heart
must continually be cleared.
If not, it quickly impacts,
compresses into brick-like density.
Bursts into flame. Decomposes.

The Adept uses the skills of Lethology,
to purge himself of this everlasting welter of details.
The rhythm this gives his life is a flowing,
and he is merely an eye everything
washes through, then dissolves into
the what-has-been.

Whereas the other sciences strive to classify and record,
to grasp the fleeting in some abstract way,
only Lethology studies the intricacies of letting go,
self-emancipating with the gesture of amnesia.
Forgetting is absolute forgiveness.

In that state, the doors of Knowing are open wide.
What is there to close oneself to?
Why long for or fear what might come in the flow.
Bliss, pain, the very passing of time,
all, like breath, leave no trail.
Sweet wonder of everything happening
for the first time. Always.

The Adept is always free,
nay, obliged to take everything anew.
Precluded are the sadness and futility born of repetition.
The Adept perceives every nuance
of the coming-into-being and passing-away,
yet retains only the essence of things.
The gift of this Science returns to oblivion
all that does not touch the soul.

Innocent as a tree in a strong wind,
he lets life blow through him
without concern or attachment,
ever readied for miraculous rebirth.

 

 

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