Under a grey sky in Suzhou.
I asked the lady
” Is this the way to the temple”
She says “The clouds are
dark and deep today,
let me show you the way”.
The sun made a
brief appearance.
And for a moment
the road ahead seemed
secluded and still.

For early morning.
To nightfall.
I walked the
Streets of Suzhou.
Every step the
center of my being.
Content to be myself.
With what I have.
Not comparing
myself with others.
Or caring who the
world belongs to.
Then, there is no mystery.
And life is beautiful.

Day # 3: Suzhou

Inside us all
there is a traveller.
A drive for calm.
With darkness being
transfered to light.
Something old goes out.
Something new comes back.
As for me…..
Just trying to move away
from clouds in a blue sky.

Autumn, streams
around Suzhou.
Running, running
its way through
the canals and temples.
And my road
is forever new.
For the land I am on
has many stories.
Shining dizzily.
Spring, summer,
winter and autumn.

I travelled to Suzhou.
On this autumn day.
In each step.
All I want to do.

Explore the world
with poetic words.
Be kind to all
sentient beings.

Then the heart
and soul of things.
Is more than enough
to last me to the end.
​

Streets outlined.
Lines of sediment and hope.
All seemingly defined
in those days of history.

And I, a poet.
Release my own stories.
Letting them go bare.
Content to be simply myself.

The days, months
and years pass.
Into a soul
that is still free.
Even when the
bleak rain falls.
I envy how the trees
sway in the breeze.
And how the insects sleep.
Despite the mud.
Sometimes it seems
nature opens its mind to me.
Then, I seem to
know the way.

​
​

The rain falls.
The streets listen.
What is it to be
awakened to the way.
To write and say
one bright word.
Even the skeptics
will listen.

You asked me
if I am lonely.
If I enjoy the
solitude of the night.
I say no.
I say yes.
For I have found
my own secret.
I am where
many fear to be.
The happy genius
of my world.

Where there is still laughter.
And good virtue.
Where there are people
who still want to lean.
And grow their knowledge.
There is no age.
Or sightings of the
past, or the future.
Only the moment
to fill with new life.
And dream again
of a lifetime of
wandering.