Zen Guitar

I found a book today
Zen guitar
at work
Amongst all the journals
Very odd to find such a thing
amidst "Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery"

It is written to teach people Zen
through playing guitar
The cover is a beautiful back and grey
With a parch of red

"Zen guitar is nothing more
than playing the song
we're all born with -
the song that makes us human.
Any one of us can do it.
The music is waiting there to be unlocked."

I open the cover, and there is a paper inserted into it
A pamphlet from a memorial
It says "A Celebration of Phil Sudo's Life"
June 22, 2002
Mr. Sudo died of cancer, I infer
And he wrote this book, I found
in 1997
To teach others
A hip, new path to Zen
To that force that governs the universe

Mr. Sudo,
You died about 6 years ago, with what seems to be a multitude of love.
I am going to read your book.
I am ready am moved to tears when I think of how you must have lived.
Through your death, your book ended up on my desk
And while everyone else laughed and said "Zen Guitar!? What!?"
I opened your book
And found the insert from your family
Where they honored you
Where they cherished you
In community
Shared stories, movies, anecdotes
And ultimately
Gave your book to those in attendance.
Thank you, Phil. I can already see how beautiful a man you were
And still are.

"One Memory"
music and lyrics by Philip Toshido Sudo

Read me stories as I go to bed
Put a simple vision in my head
Take me far away and hold on tight
Listen carefully as I confide

Orange, yellow, red and lemonade
Sound of drums and trumpets in parade
You're my one memory
What I clung to when I'm lost at sea
No confusion finally
You're my one memory

Take me back to sunshine in the park
Whisper that you love me in the dark
Put your arms around me as I dream
Wake me from the nightmare when I scream

Orange, yellow, red and broken wings
Sound of grounded angels as they sing
You're my one memory
What I clung to when I'm lost at sea
No confusion finally
You're my one memory

Run your tender fingers through my hair
Let me go with you from here to there
Though my future doesn't look too bright
Keep tomrorow far away tonight

You're my one memory
What I clung to when I'm lost at sea
No confusion finally
You're my one memory

I'm lost at sea...
One Memory