Dream of a Silent Life

Two hands smooth across unfinished table top,
Hewn from eternal stock of walnut.
The slightest curve drawn along wooden edge,
Subtle as buddha smiling lips.
Every joint captures infinity with patience,
Seams become seamless in form.
Meanwhile, pines whistle above frozen winter workshop,
Somewhere fire crackles; breath steams.
And finally, the long-sought serenity;
The carpenter, with love, produces his wares.

In one lifetime, I transcend

Bodhisattva, I yearn.
Bodhisattva, I wish.
Bodhisattva, I want.

Monk, I've known you these ten thousand years.

Bodhisattva, I sit.
Bodhisattva, I breathe.
Bodhisattva, I blink.

Monk, I'm with you in this moment now.

Bodhisattva, I see.
Bodhisattva, I know.
Bodhisattva, I am.

Monk, I'll be with you always.

Lady Cat

I unpack my bags,
And rest upon a metaphor.
It's been a long time going,
I'd like to stay a while.

Stories do entwine and entangle.
Life is unpredictable.

Cat and Monkey
Cat and Monkey
I'll catch you mice
You climb my trees
Cat and Monkey
Cat and Monkey
We ride down this river
Will you tangle your tail with mine?

Lady Cat, where do you come from?
Your slender limbs and soft coat.
Do you eat fish?
Do you chase rabbits?

Lady Cat, how many hours do you sleep?
Your purring, expressive moan.
Do you have claws?
Do you see in the dark?

Tell me once!
Tell me twice!
Tell me all the way down
to when the river meets
the sea!

Collection of Two, Three, and Four Line Poems, #B

#101
You carry me, I carry you.
Walking upstairs,
Walking down.

#102
You love me, you hate me.
Rising breath,
Falling breath.

#103
Dropping like flies,
the seasons change.

#104
The lizard on the wall,
knows up from down.

#105
Love makes me tired,
solitude makes me cold.

#106
Slowly a place evolves,
darkness to light.

#107
Truth from my youth,
forgotten or disproved?

#108
Is it better to collect a thousand
unattached memories,
Or a few deep commitments?
I've already spoken my answer.

Untitled Mantra

This one photograph,
my talisman,
held fast and close to my chest,
against the Asuras and Yakshasas,
who gnash and claw,
and would fill me with fear, with doubt;
if not for this one photograph,
my talisman,
held fast and close...

Moons

The Moon is full.
I just saw it --
golden, round --
a perfect sphere.
But I am half full only --
and waning,
probably.

Do We Remember?

Do we remember honey and soap?
These are not the things you put in a bottle,
Or wrap as a bar in plastic.
These are much older than that.

And navigation by stars?