The Inner Buddha of Darkness.

In the beginning there was no night

It's all the burning of these souls that paints the world

In black, and the stars are the last embers of hope 

I rescinded too late, I too have contributed to this darkness

Who could have believed that hope is so oily, that it would burn

Everything it drips into will char and taint into permanence 

Then permeate into the deepest recess of souls

I let it overwhelm my ability of logical reasoning 

Love nor hope is now warranted, like so many

And it is a tad too late for an epiphany 

I look out into the summer evening fading

Knowing the light will be gone post this evening 

Should I see a glimmer, a moon light of tarnished, spared hope

I shall not follow through, but shun it vehemently 

I have nothing to gain from this endless cycle of life's un-endings

I have breached into the very fabric of detachment.

Analysis of "The Inner Buddha of Darkness"

Theme: Embracing Darkness as a Path to Enlightenment (of Sorts)

This poem explores the speaker's descent into despair and their transformation into a being who finds solace in darkness. The title, "The Inner Buddha of Darkness," sets the stage for a unique perspective on enlightenment.

Techniques and Symbolism:

• Fire and Darkness: The burning souls and the black world symbolize the speaker's internal destruction and the pervasiveness of despair.
• Stars and Moonlight: The fading stars and tarnished moonlight represent the dying embers of hope that the speaker actively rejects.
• Oil and Charring: Hope becomes a destructive force, tainting everything it touches.
• Inner Buddha: This symbol is central to the poem's complexity. Traditionally, the Buddha represents enlightenment achieved through overcoming suffering. Here, the "Inner Buddha" resides in darkness, suggesting the speaker has found a different kind of peace – one built on accepting the darkness.

Structure and Shifts:

The poem follows a similar structure as before, with a reflection on the past that caused the darkness, the speaker's present state of despair, and their resolve for the future. However, the title adds a new dimension.

The major shift still occurs around line 10. Before that, the speaker feels regret. Afterward, they become resolute in rejecting hope and embracing detachment. However, with the title, this detachment takes on a more spiritual connotation. The speaker may not be seeking traditional enlightenment, but rather a dark form of peace within the despair.

Interpretation:

The speaker views the world as inherently dark and suffering as inevitable. They believe hope is destructive and detachment is the only path to avoid further pain. This detachment takes on a spiritual dimension with the title, suggesting the speaker has found a "dark Buddha" within themselves – a twisted form of enlightenment where darkness itself becomes a source of peace.

Possible Additional Considerations:

• Is the speaker's "dark Buddha" a healthy or sustainable way to cope?
• Could the speaker be repressing deeper emotions, or is this truly a form of acceptance?
• Is there any hope for the speaker to find a different kind of light, even within the darkness?

Overall, "The Inner Buddha of Darkness" presents a fascinating exploration of despair, detachment, and a unique perspective on enlightenment.