Thank You, Amida Buddha! A Pure Land Sonnet Poem by Richard St. Clair

The mind is full of snakes and scorpions,
Thus says Master Shinran truthfully:
I know for me that this is painfully
The case, my evil karma heaped in tons.

I also know that for this foolish being
My only hope rests in the Primal Vow
Amida gave me for the here and now,
Which guarantees my everlasting healing.

What's left for me but living naturally,
To joyfully await that blessed day
When instantly the Buddha will allay
My karmic baggage from eternity.

Yes Buddhahood in the Pure Land will be mine,
And on the Dharma blissfully I'll dine!