Monday, February 24, 2020
DO NOT LISTEN
IS IT
Sunday, February 23, 2020
FAMILY ALBUM
If the old
photographs
did not fade
how would we
know that when
the dead are
dead they are
gone from us.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
A MOURNING DOVE
Friday, February 21, 2020
WE ARE
bandits
of morning,
raiders
of dawn,
poets
of hope.
We face
the sun
like hawks,
waiting,
and for
prayer
we count
our blessings.
AFTER THE CHINESE MASTERS
AFTER LIU TSUNG-YUAN'S
"RIVER SNOW"
All these mountains
and no birds.
All the trails
and no one on them.
Here, an old man --
hat and raincoat, boat --
fishing the cold river
in snow, alone.
~
AFTER RWAN JI'S
"SPRING FEELINGS"
I'm sleepless
tonight. I rise
and play my guitar.
I can see the moon
through the curtains
and breeze rustles
my clothes. Somewhere
a lone goose calls.
Birds cry out
in the dark woods.
Then I'm pacing,
wondering what
do I want
alone here with
my wounded heart.
~
AFTER BAI JUYI'S
"NIGHT SNOW"
I am surprised
by how cold
my pillow
and covers
are, and by
brightness at
the window.
Tonight's snow
is heavy
and sometimes
I can hear
the hard crack
of trees out
there snapping.
~
AFTER BAI JUYI'S
"SPRING SLEEP"
Soft pillow, warm covers,
he's still in bed.
The sun is at the door,
the curtains not yet open.
A green taste in the air.
Spring comes even
while you're sleeping.
~
AFTER BAI JUYI'S
"ON THE LAKE (1)"
Two monks sit
playing chess
on the mountain.
The shadow
of a tree
marks their board.
Neither monk
notices.
Sometimes you
can hear them
make their moves.
~
"RIVER SNOW"
All these mountains
and no birds.
All the trails
and no one on them.
Here, an old man --
hat and raincoat, boat --
fishing the cold river
in snow, alone.
~
AFTER RWAN JI'S
"SPRING FEELINGS"
I'm sleepless
tonight. I rise
and play my guitar.
I can see the moon
through the curtains
and breeze rustles
my clothes. Somewhere
a lone goose calls.
Birds cry out
in the dark woods.
Then I'm pacing,
wondering what
do I want
alone here with
my wounded heart.
~
AFTER BAI JUYI'S
"NIGHT SNOW"
I am surprised
by how cold
my pillow
and covers
are, and by
brightness at
the window.
Tonight's snow
is heavy
and sometimes
I can hear
the hard crack
of trees out
there snapping.
~
AFTER BAI JUYI'S
"SPRING SLEEP"
Soft pillow, warm covers,
he's still in bed.
The sun is at the door,
the curtains not yet open.
A green taste in the air.
Spring comes even
while you're sleeping.
~
AFTER BAI JUYI'S
"ON THE LAKE (1)"
Two monks sit
playing chess
on the mountain.
The shadow
of a tree
marks their board.
Neither monk
notices.
Sometimes you
can hear them
make their moves.
~
Thursday, February 20, 2020
FARM BOY AT SUNSET
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
IS IT ENOUGH
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
THE CRANES HAVE
VIEW FROM SOUTH MOUNTAIN
From the top of
South Mountain
I see
North Mountain
and everything
between,
the city,
the desert,
the cactus,
dust the color
of blossoms.
