Desert Dweller

Even though I look and act different,

that doesn’t make me subversive.

I won’t follow gods stranded in the stone age.

Unconditional compassion for ourselves

leads to

unconditional compassion for others,

right?

Whether you get blissed out reading Scripture,

watching porn, exploring nature

or contemplating the all-consuming

nothingness and everythingness, it’s all OK.

It’s OK to follow the river,

to follow our smiles,

to seek our state of bliss.

Transcendence doesn’t care

if we end in flames or paradise

or whether it is achieved

through gods, trees or genitalia.

I won’t follow gods stranded in the stone age,

but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

© 2026 Bruno Talerico

233/365