Sunday, April 25, 2021
TEN OLD MONK POEMS (12)
BONES BREAK
Bone break
where they have to
break,
the old monk says.
It's the same rule
the stars follow.
~
I'M SO FAR
I'm so far
ahead of myself,
the old monk says,
I can almost
catch my tail.
~
NOT SO SOON
Not so soon
is soon enough,
the old monk says,
where no one bothers.
~
STARS OR MOUNTAINS
Stars or mountains,
the old monk says--
either will do.
~
WHEN I TRY
When I try silence,
the old monk says,
the stars are loudest.
~
I HAVE TO SAY
I have to say
what I have to say,
the old monk says.
The devil
doesn't like it.
~
THE DEVIL SAYS
The devil says
I should hold my tongue,
the old monk says.
Even if I could,
what would I want to?
~
THE SORT OF THING
It's the sort of thing I like,
the old monk said,
the stars telling their stories.
~
SUCH A FRIEND
Such a friend
as can share
your silence,
the old monk says --
keep him!
~
I DON'T KNOW
I don't know
what it is,
either,
the old monk said.
It works, so
I turn it on.
~
