One armed monk
clings precariously
to the sagging limb
over the abyss.

Kyogen smiles, “Old man
you are starving
and soon
will be too weak
to grasp that branch.”

He places an apple
on the branch
for the old man.

“Your suffering
is completed.”

A reflection on Case 5 of the Mumonkan 無門関 (The Gateless Gate Koans)