-
BODHI VILLANELLE
Sitting beneath the Bodhi tree I wrestle with passing thoughts in an unending struggle with me. The true face of the pain I see results from what I have wrought sitting beneath the Bodhi tree. I grow tired, wish to flee– above all, to avoid being caught in an unending struggle with me for a…
-
SEPPO’S TURNING THE WHEEL 正法眼蔵 三十八
The wisest of men when asked at what time it is best to pursue the Way will answer: when a thousand stars have made their presence known. The wisest student will say: when cleaning myself by bathing in the mud. This will become clear to you when the frog consumes the dragon.
-
TAI YRA MANO MOTINA (THIS IS MY MOTHER)
It’s odd how your stature has grown as I dream of you occasionally staring at your yearbook picture. It was only four years ago that I knew you existed, but hadn’t the faintest idea of who you were, anything about your life, why you gave me up, and, therefore who it was I might have…
-
EVENTIDE
The sky is the leaden gray that denies the sun and threatens the moon’s arrival. It presses down on the roofs of the tallest buildings, wraps them in a depression those on the street below feel without need of looking up. This is a teasing sky, a drop here, there, until we know we are…
-
INFINITY
A three year old can easily understand that a full cup can hold nothing but an empty cup has an infinite capacity.
-
INSTRUCTIONS FOR WALKING MEDITATION (KINHIN)
You should walk slowly, measure each step, insure your foot is in deep contact with the earth before giving its partner freedom, only to fall victim, in turn, to gravity. Steady your pace until it merges into your breath and the silence deafens you.
-
WHO IS HE? 無門關 四十語
Sitting with Shakya and Maitreya in the utter stillness of early morning you each strain to hear the master’s voice. Do not take up Shakya’s bow or attempt to mount Maitreya’s horse Do not engage Hoen in discussion but look inward, hand your bow to Maitreya, the reins to Shakya. There is only one horse,…
-
THE SAD LIFE OF THE WRITER
She says, “you suffer from scriptor interruptus, which makes her laugh, and she says you have to have a thought to be interrupted and we both know it has been a long while since you’ve been there, but keep holding the pen, you never know what might come out.”
-
A BUDDHA SPEAKS
A three year old can easily understand that a full cup can hold nothing more but an empty cup has an infinite capacity.
-
COFFEE ROASTING
They dance defiantly denying gravity as they tumble through the air. They cede their color reluctantly, Now a beige, but soon a defiant chocolate-brown, milk turning slowly dark. They entice you, their perfume perhaps too strong for some, but it draws you in and you cannot help but imagine how the thought of them will…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
