As the sun rises
each morning the Great Egrets
lift into the sky
as we stand fixed to the ground.
We now can feel their pity.

Little Blue Herons
stare into the clouded sky
knowing that the sun
will soon reappear and steal
away with the morning chill

In Todai-ji
sika deer await the bell
that signals the end
of morning zazen and start
looking for tourist handouts.