R and R©

RECREATION

maybe there is no one to hear this

there are not many zen students

and of those, few who change places with their teacher

all that training in concentration

waiting for thoughts to subside

fierce vigilance

until finally

kensho!

then more training to get over the miracle

after all, it's who we are to begin with

and as has been said

 it's endless

well, thank you very much

I recommend it

this morning while sitting

that one before training or anything else

still here

goodbye training, kensho and all that

after all

it was here to begin with

ONE MAN'S TREASURE

the rickshaw has lost a wheel

its cargo is in limbo

imagine a nanowheel

a power plant running on dark matter

contact with distant beings who have been waiting

civilization needs reinvention

well, also think

of rain gutters that need to be cleaned

annually

not possible, right?

I mean, how to think of dark matter

while  pulling out wet leaves

stretching it a bit

there's  sort of a connection

perhaps a TV series

possible wealth and fame

why ruin a good thing

pulling wet leaves

while not entertaining

is certainly the universe in motion

in fact, pulling wet leaves is interesting in itself

just how to scoop them out

how best to replace the plastic screen

walking on the roof to rake down some from up there

without falling off

politics, wars, robbers and kings

I like to read Shakespeare

and the I Ching

none of those are relevant

when pulling wet leaves

which I like doing

why ruin a good thing

MAGIC IS ALIVE

pine trees magically on the golf course

not a recollection, but what they are

before learning ignorance

the joy is just the same

a moment to savor without comparison

spring weather so fine

in February

this report bundles a vivid contrast

personal disaster gone

in the midst of world disaster

a report easy to read, comprehend in some fashion

and file away

all that is continually passes

pyramids

slaves

disasters

there are no roman columns on my porch

no slaves to build my pyramid

who am I to speak?

who is anyone?

the whole course of history is wrapped up in each of us

I submit:

each of us is all of us

upon remembering this

clarity resumes

the world is itself again

ESCAPE FROM VAGABONDAGE

THE HISTORY OF BELIEF ENDS HERE

theme park lights clicking off, one by one

all rides have lost momentum

a pendulum comes to rest at center

out in the back yard this morning

yellow blooming oxalis

-designated weeds-

became subjects for a cell phone camera

great digital splashes disproving something

that perhaps I will recall

cat editors have decided not to participate

in such doings

a vague recollection of gardenerly duty in relation to

yard devils

a coal abandoned on the damping fire

to invoke a metaphorical smile

this lack of news is a banquet

wings beat towards a storied sunset

holy grail on the horizon

see them flutter down to grace

this cloak of words

in self erasure

UNSEASONABLE

evening news is spicy

not enough to call for a glass of water

the Golden Gate bridge is now a light show

and human interest pieces

whoee

on El Camino one afternoon

Big Foot discovers a missing toe

somewhat disconcerting

find the toe!

without alarming boaters, patrons or drivers

who are talking on cell phones, oblivious anyhow

looking for what?

and then the fun begins

hide and seek

truth or consequences

the game surpasses even Mother Monopoly

morning mist

a song just out of ear shot

pretend it's not missing

blood red!

the rising sun

anything but the truth

pray tell

when suddenly it dawns

ONIONSKIN

one afternoon in the middle of mowing a lawn

very quiet

ah ha

another layer off the onion

those people known in life

all living inside

disappearing

gods swept away

ghosts without a believer

we grew up together

and now

goodbye

spring is here

blossoms, ducks flying, small insects

the onion laughs

tears flow

a bottomless peace settles in

bumble words packing pollen

fall off my pen

SANCTUARY

IN THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS

comes nap time

siesta

snooze

rhythm of the day, organs, cells

without regard for clocks

daylight savings

or the evening news

a time for appreciation

expressed not with gongs and incense

but with eyes closed

gratitude dissolving to surrender

bodily functions in modest appeal

slowly slowing

*

slumber

*

*

*

day devils rap at the door!

schedules, plans, things to be done

debts incurred through voluntary slavery

Z

Z

Z

Z