A Sangha Visit to ZM Wu Kwang’s Catskills Retreat

Return to Summer/Fall 2002

by Jan Potemkin

Zen Master Wu Kwang invited the sangha to a barbeque (veggie style) on July 14 at his cottage in the Catskills. It was farther than some realized, like Jan in his poem below. Everyone had a great time, and several members slept over and went on an energetic mountain hike the next morning, led by our new JDPSN Steve Cohen.

Fleischmanns Pond

I was up there once in the middle of winter, Richard and Brenda’s mountain place. 
Dark roads, someone missed a turn and drove into the woods in the snow. 
We had a retreat, sleeping bags squeezed all around at night. 
Was that me? So much free time?
A whole weekend for Zen!

Now it’s hot and we’re having a barbeque.
July, driving too fast, quite late for lunch.
Nobody will eat my potato salad and cole slaw,
I’ve got a headache so I help myself.
Joshua in the baby seat in back just awoke,
Justine at her friend’s birthday party.
“Next Exit 17 Miles” and then the same sign again – and again.
Will I find it?

Then a sign at last – “Zen Barbecue”.
One should be observant, I suppose
(like the fancy Saturday hasids).
But it’s all right.
We arrived just at the end of the meal.

Got me a veggie burger Au Sullivan,
Insect spray for Josh and watch out he doesn’t roll down the hill.

Breathe out.
Things slow down, that’s the universal rule.
Richard’s constructed pond, which I thought would not endure,
Is now home to some frogs and giant fancy carp,
Swarming as Josh tossed in some pellets of fish food.
Hmmm. Are those pellets the same color as the burgers?

Then the inevitable Frisbees flew.

Ah, it’s nice up here.

It takes people like me a while to calm down.