Sunday, February 28, 2021
TEN OLD MONK POEMS (4)
THE OLD MONK
REBUKED THEM:
You make up words
as if you can
make up meaning.
~
I WOULDN'T
I wouldn't say these things
if I didn't have to,
the old monk said.
Help. Get me out.
~
DON'T ARGUE
Don't argue with it,
the old monk said,
if it won't argue back.
You'll just sound silly.
~
WHEN SHE TURNS
When she turns around
and makes that face,
the old monk says,
just do it.
~
SO YOU LIKE
So you like the
POUND POUND POUND
of the line?
You must play bass,
the old monk said.
~
THE OLD MONK / LOOKED
The old monk
looked at his hands
and saw his father.
He looked in the mirror
and saw him there too.
~
IS IT
Is it
the stars talking,
the old monk wondered,
or the cicadas.
Do we even
have cicadas?
~
THE OLD MONK SAID
This is always
the most peaceful
moment, now,
just before I go
to sleep, or die.
~
THE OLD MONK'S
FIRST NOVEL
There are more characters
than I have time
to introduce, he said.
So just imagine them.
~
THE TASTE
The taste of it,
the last of the old wine,
the old monk said.
There's always
next summer.
~
