Sunday, March 28, 2021
TEN OLD MONK POEMS (8)
HOLD ON
Hold on
as the universe
spins towards
silence,
the old monk says,
and count
your blessings.
~
SOMETIMES
Sometimes
on the quiet
mountain
the monk's breath
is like wind
in the pines.
~
THE OLD MONK
The old monk
goes up the mountain
with nothing.
He comes down
with everything.
How do you
do that, they ask.
Do what? he says.
~
IN HIS BEST WORK
In his best work
the old monk empties
himself. He strives
for the silence
of stone.
~
AS ABOVE
As above,
the old monk says,
so below,
where sky
touches
the mountain.
~
YES, WE NEED
Yes, we need
something greater
than ourselves,
the old monk says.
That is why
the stars keep
keep coming out.
~
THE TEMPLE BELL
The temple bell
sounds
and fades.
Nothing lasts,
the old monk says,
but sadness.
~
THE OLD MONK
The old monk
bows his head
and speaks to
the great pine.
Grandfather,
he says.
O, Grandfather.
~
SOMETIMES
Sometimes
I'm inhabited
by angels
who jabber,
the old monk
says, sometimes
by those who
know silence.
~
BE PATIENT
Be patient,
the old monk says,
like water
wearing the rock.
~
