Dawn is announced by the sound of the bell,
its echo chasing off the ghost of night
leaving but whispers of what he cannot tell.

Looking inward the mind seeks to rebel,
to vanquish the simple call of the light.
Dawn is announced by the sound of the bell

and the peace of dreams shattered where it fell.
A gassho freely offered, hands pressed tight
leaving but whispers of what he cannot tell

or would not, fearing freedom from the cell
in which he locks his heart, as though in fright
Dawn is announced by the sound of the bell

calling him out of his self-imposed hell
opened eyes, Buddha sits just out of sight
leaving but whispers of what he cannot tell:

that Samdhi is a bottomless well
awaiting all who do not flee from light
Dawn is announced by the sound of the bell
leaving but whispers of what he cannot tell.