Kundalini Splendor

Bowing

Before our time, before years that said no

when anyone passed a church and reverently

bowed, a soul somewhere might go

to heaven, just because of that bow.

And they all felt sad if a rooster crowed,

for something it reminded them of, a story

strong as the cables that hold up the world.

Nobody bows now if a rooster crows.



But maybe something you do, unknowing

or quick to react, without thought of gain’

or loss – maybe that act goes on

over mountains or oceans and finds the same

salvation for you that bowing does.

It is larger now, the church is, and the life

we are in. In it we bow to everything.

- William Stafford