A Forecast of Fortune
Here’s my forecast of fortune for today,
The local and the universal too,
Informed by signs the elements display.
I hope you’ll find it meaningful and true.
Regrettably, it seems a random stroke
Of storminess might hit us here or there
To vex us and all apprehensive folk
With change and danger dropping from the air.
Clouds of misfortune rain; streams overflow
Already with a sorry gush of tears,
And who’s responsible we do not know.
Review your deeds—what answer then appears?
But yet, there could be sun, there is that chance.
Like weather, fortune fluctuates, so some
In negligence may leave off work to dance,
But out of causes due effects must come.
The unwise ones admire themselves and sneer;
That deeds bring fruit they have not realized.
Intemperate craving fouls the atmosphere,
So suffering worsens fast. Are we surprised?
Chance will afflict the wicked and the wise;
That’s normal nature as we find it here;
But willful wrong more grossly mars the skies
And plagues the landscapes of the heart with fear.
This too is possible—that trying heat
May spring from friction or a twinge of ire;
Malice and opportunity may meet,
Hot vanities combust, and there’s your fire.
You see, my friend, wild fortune’s reckless turns?
I speak not of an overbearing sun
But warn of hate indulged and how it burns
In fury ever hotter once begun.
There can be, though, relief despite our flaws—
The peace at heart, the clarity and ease
Of one aware of both effect and cause,
Who, knowing goodness, shuns iniquities.
I forecast change and say, seek insight still.
Conditions swing, more upset’s on the way.
The planted evil blooms awry and ill;
The planted good brings on resplendent day.
Dress for the season, friend, bear cold and wet,
Defend your health against harsh wind and fire;
Remember, please, take double heed to set
Honor above you, and to that aspire.
To my forecast I’ll add one simple thought,
Affirming earnestly what truth I see,
That as we act—oh, as the wise have taught—
That as we act, so rises destiny.
Bhikkhu Nyanasobhano is a native of Kentucky who for many years has been a bhikkhu, a Buddhist monk of the Theravāda tradition.
I read these quatrains not so much as a forecast, but as a poem of sage advice.
It seems to suggest that we are the ultimate cause of most of our misfortunes, and a little more introspection might make us aware of that fact. As for misfortunes that are not of our own making, but merely the result of chance or accident, the speaker of the poem suggests a variety of stoicism, or a conscious control of our vicious impulses.
Evan’s choice of an illustration is brilliant, and ironic. We really can’t do anything about the weather except endure it, and that holds true for our lives, because of our inherent human weaknesses, and our natural propensity to follow our pride, our acquisitiveness, and our lust to dominate.
From being fortunate to have at least one square meal a day, to being fortunate enough to be born into a developed economy, this poem covers all bases of what we stoically should endure and how we can try changing our fortune yet maintain our honour and integrity.
Thanks for the read.
The law of cause and effect is something everyone can recognize, though the causes may be less apparent in areas like the weather. But weather too can be forecast by those who study it and gather adequate information. All the more, you say, Bhikku Nyanasobhano, can we forecast personal fortunes if we study our own acts, about which we have abundant information. We can plant good rather than evil, and go so far as to aim for honorable deeds that might seem above our nature as we know it. Excellent advice, presented in good logical rhythm!