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
