Ancient Ways & New Paths

Grey light seeping between tall buildings,

Green tea and jetlag’s taste -

The voices of crows declare dawn.

After the rain,

River boats passing by –

Bashō’s gaze.

Holding a moment of silence

Beside the rushing river

All senses saturated –
Autumn stained water.

From across the lake

The temple bell –

Clear sky above!

The dragon’s roar

Kegon Falls –

Even bird song is stilled.

Leaf Fall

Leaf fall

Heaven to earth

Drawing in to itself

Selfless circle.

At the edge of another journey

Experiences awaiting unfolding

I think of home,

The point of release.

These hands holding memory

And time passing.

One day to turn to soil.

Within the flow

Silence sings -

An empty bowl.

Our dance

A new beginning.

Oh sweet breath,

The leaves carpet the ground.

Of Old Buddha And Other Tales

A map of old routes

Veins of desire across earth skin

Crossings and re crossing -

Shadow and light.

  

The long cry of the crow

Lingers in valley mist –

Autumn born in dew fall 

Now.

Next to old Buddha himself

A flagon of cider –

Resting quiet
Reading Ryōkan
.

My fingers tracing a blind path

Seeing through feel alone

Cleaving to new old ways

Each day landscape to be rediscovered -

Deep woodland depths

& the sun's high arc.

The old field barn

Tin roof rusted to red earth tints

Folds itself into autumnal hills -

Awed by the gape of time

Looking over the fields

We watched the heavens turn

As the sun swallowed the moon.