The way I make the coffee,
each and every morning.
Without too much thought.
A quick read, before class.
One of the poems from
the Tang dynasty.
And a shared love of
detachment and freedom.
Then my teaching, in the
spirit of simplicity
and active learning.
These are the best
days of my life.

An autumn sky.
Suddenly appearing
before me.
No rain, it seems.
Despite the lightning flash.
And in the chill.
A feeling…..
Near or far.
The spirit is moving.

Above, a city moon.
Pinched with sadness.
But I have not come
here for the moon.
Only to listen to
the spring birds.
Pining for the long nights.
And fireflies over the river.

And what if your
days are longer…..

Will you linger on
your pain and suffering less?

This is what I think.

Occupy your mind with
a carefree birdsong.

It sings of an eternal truth.

Above the pain, suffering
and sickness.

Another world where
summer smolders.

And a single lotus blooms.

Although life is wide and great.
There are times when
I am stuck in the mud.
What should I do?
Should I stay stuck.
Allowing the winds of winter
to drive me into nothing.
Until I become a
mound of aging bones.
Or should I try and struggle free.
Until my soul turns into an icon.
Drifting lightly and
landing on the bank.
I think the way of all
flesh is in the struggle.
Then, comes the lotus.
With the seeds of understanding.
​A place where nothing
remains ​of a life that was.

I drink my coffee.
And surrender to
the will of the
autumn breeze.

With no mind.
Each sip takes
me to the blossom.
Way beyond the streets.

To the first days of spring.
And the cuckoo in summer.
As much as I could
wish for.

When every autumn
leaf has fallen.
How much suffering is left?
The same as before.
I cannot change everything.
Or ignore the heart- rendering tears.
That sound in the quiet nights.
But, I can listen to the earth.
And my inner-voice.
That tells me that everything
comes, and everything goes.
And with a smiling heart
and a willing soul.
Do what I can to help
all sentient beings.
Savour the joys of days,
and nights.

A long day of rain today.
The damp grey streets
take on a muddy array.
There seem so
many obstructions.
But, I know this is
only a trick of my mind.
And the journey
is never hopeless.

I remember that night.
A long way from home.
A single night of love.
And a maiden that
was my refuge.
Looking outward together
in the same direction.
There was no need
to rush anything.
Such a spirit of
self-development.
And the longest
night of the year.

Eyes wide and calm.
With no stupid thoughts.
Beyond acceptance of
apathy and indifference.
Beyond acknowledging
the rise and fall of shame.
Beyond listening to
voices of the night.
Only listening to my inner voice.
And its joyous melodies.
Then, the golden path
is shining bright.
​