Sunday, June 20, 2021
TEN OLD MONK POEMS (20)
SOMEONE SAYS
Someone says
Stop,
put down your pencils.
The old monk
keeps writing.
~
WELL, THAT’S HOW
Well, that’s how
you do it,
the old monk said,
you just don’t
stop.
~
I ALREADY TOLD YOU
I already told you,
the old monk said,
I have to do this.
They’ve kidnapped my mother.
~
IF YOU DO YOUR CHORES
If you do your chores
when it’s time for doing,
the old monk says,
they’ll be done
when it's time for fun.
~
LESS
Less
is more,
the old monk says,
when that’s
the way
it’s going.
~
ALL NIGHT
All night
the trees holding
the dark earth,
the old monk says.
It’s a story
the stars
already know.
~
IF HE SMILES
If he smiles,
his face will break,
the old monk said.
You have
a wrathful God.
~
EVEN IF
Even if there is a God
I couldn’t say
I’d believe him,
the old monk said.
I’ve been lied to
too many times.
~
IT'S NOT AS IF
It's not as if
all the answers
have questions,
the old monk says.
~
IF THIS ISN'T
If this isn't
what you have
to do,
the old monk said,
don't do it.
The mountain
doesn't need you.
Does that answer
your question?
~
