Sunday, June 13, 2021
TEN OLD MONK POEMS (19)
IT'S NOT WHAT'S
It's not what's
in the basket
that's important,
the old monk says.
What's important
is that you
bring it.
~
SEE HOW I DO THAT
See how I do that,
the old monk said,
directing the sunset.
It's all in the wrist.
~
IT DOESN'T MATTER
It doesn't matter
how you die,
the old monk says.
When you're dead,
you're dead.
~
YOU THINK ABOUT
You think about funerals,
of course you see darkness,
and the darkness sees you,
the old monk said.
~
PUT IT THERE
Put it there, the old monk said,
if that's where you want to put it.
I understand he bites.
~
YOU WANT MORE?
You want more? More?
the old monk said.
Then you carry it
up the mountain.
~
THERE IS SOMEWHERE
There is somewhere
an angel, whether you think
you need one or not,
the old monk says.
~
ALL THE THINGS
All the things you want to say
you don't say outloud,
the old monk says, is what
marks you as a wise man.
~
THAT'S THE WAY
That's the way it is
in the monastery,
the old monk says,
biscuits and gravy
every day
for breakfast.
~
IF I COULD
If I could I would
sell you a dozen more
at half the price,
the old monk said,
but I have to
make a living.
~
