I love epiphanies. I wish there were more of them in my life. An epiphany is a privileged moment of discovery, when we intuitively grasp a deeper, more essential truth in an encounter with things or persons. Such moments are literally a revelation. You walk away feeling enlightened, and very often, feeling lighter as well because, as the ancient prophets say, “the truth will set you free.” I am particularly drawn to epiphany poems that succinctly unveil simple essential truths. Below are a few; I’ve kept the number small to encourage slow, deliberate reading. There are more to come.

The world of dew
is a world of dew
and yet … and yet …

~ Kobayashi Issa

A word. Sometimes
one word
is all I need
to take flight.

~ Wallace Fong

The rain on the bus window
breaks the city into splinters

~ Jessica Taylor

Lotus flowers
blooming at the lonely
railway station

~ Masoka Shiki