451 - 517 |
451. Still I am here Down in the lowlands. Heart windows on the lake Reflecting the stars. 452. Now I am ready To go further westward Than I thought possible. And me Without a traveling bag. 453. All encompassing Ch'an. A frog seated on a cushion. This old priest Still knows what "croak" means. 454. Autumn brings clarity. Moon spilling through Ice frosted bamboo And snow covered grass. On such nights I huddle against the cold, Hands firmly on teacup, Resting in silence. Can you understand? No day could be as this. 455. So much company Though only two of us Bedeviled by cats. (for Nita 5/23/01) 456. Such dreams That I see you all the time Walking beside me Pure Land or no. (for Nita 5/23/01) 457. A cup of wine at dawn, Collapsing into myself, Not a moment too soon. How deep are they The last rays of moonlight? To see them better I fall into a deep sleep Younger each moment. 458. Younger than moonrise I dust off my thoughts As I rise from bed And step quietly into the temple Before anyone else awakens And spoils the moment. 459. I would rather not find Where my mind has gone. I do quite well Without it. 460. Slow, blossoms falling. Gently drifting down beside Your outstretched hand. (95/23/01) 461. Do not bother me. Another Spring evening Fading away now. 462. Moonlight on the way Across a windswept ocean For my poor benefit. 463. Hidden in shadows My old heart and Buddha. Temple at twilight. 464. Hot enough to melt My resolve to do nothing. Snails move faster. 465. No love for Summer. These old bones creak Like drunken wind chimes. 466. Distant thunder echo In a cloudless sky passing With my sanity. 467. Even the ducks Beneath the willow cry. Outrageous heat. 468. Heavy mist descends In the midst of sitting Clarifying all. 469. I, standing alone, Adjusting my obi so. No willow shade. 470. Evenings end Comes to late to satisfy. Off to the bath. 471. Old cat box baking On a summer afternoon Produces a smile. 472. Stately fountain Calms the nerves well Disguising heat. 473. The wide ocean Engulfs the sun slowly Becoming full. 474. Why you turn away? Unknown these moments. Beyond my sight. 475. Day of gray clouds Bringing light rains creeping Into my garden. 476. Oh! A full moon In the driving rain appears Stirring my heart. 477. No coolness today. Heat shimmered shadows Go dancing at noon. 478. On the lake shore A single loon frozen Inmeditation. 479. The last moonlight Retreats into shadows Beyond the bamboo. 480. This coolness begins, A wren passing my way; Miniature fan. 481. No waves can come Tp my doorstep on Friday. Old Risu smiles. 482. On my fingertips A light breeze descends Making time vanish. 483. No matter how hot Garden waterfall sings Of Autumns past. 484. Cherry blossoms fall Beyond my sight like rain Misting the path. 485. A small cat nap Surrounded by cats sleeping Is how exquisite? 486. Silence was misplaced When the Buddha just laughed Cooling my mind. 487. Which Buddha today will emerge from the shadows Arriving at sunrise? 488. How did I grumble When old breezes passed by Not saying hello? 489. This tranquility The feeling of a moment. Clouded horizon. 490. The cool breeze The breath of Buddhas Touching/not touching. 491. Eyes of Miroku In the caterpillar see The river flowing. 492. How long have I sat, Dew on my eyelashes, Crescent moon? 493. Quietly the cat, Mouse dreaming, twitches Several whiskers. 494. Washed with moonlight Crickets in the temple door. The old priest nods. 495. Night and Autumn come When I am ready for them. Eternal moon. 496. In deepest darkness Children laugh at a firefly Escaping their net. 497. The stroke of two. My favorite hour arrives. Tea and moon watching. 498. Thread thin clouds Breeze pushing them along Crossing kite strings. 499. Wild lake lotus Green water welcoming sun Families of geese. 500. Wind chimes clashing, Doors shaking in protest, Moon and lightning near. 501. Quietly sitting Under an indigo moon. Old friends know why. 502. The rocky shore Stretching away to night And others dreams. 503. Moon snare opening. So many fish tonight Dying to live. 504. Riverbank sitting Clouds scaling over willows. three fish jump. 505. How are you tonight Moon balanced in a teacup? Drinking the wisdom. 506. An old shadow man Across the moonlit field flashes a lantern. 507. All of these bells Breaking the silent moment. Nothing to ponder. 508. Beyond the screen Full moon cloud hopping goes. The floor creaks. 509. Grave thoughts come Packaging worries in stone. Perhaps tommorow? 510. Raucous frog party. Summer rain sweeping old pond Just beyond my sight. 511. Very hard summer rain Scattering thoughts of Autumn While the roof leaks. 512. Two small temples Joined across miles of sky. Summer flower crop. (for Hokawa) 513. Several squirrels Amidst the bamboo Chasing their lives. 514. Rains batter the house. My worst fears take shape. Work is all that is left. 515. If the far bamboo Could come to my neighborhood All would be complete. 516. Carry no storms When you come visiting Or the lamp goes out. 517. A small light breaks Between the clouds and sea. Moon or memories? Thus ends "Old Risu's Toenails." I hope you have enjoyed the reading as much as I did the writing. Gassho and metta T.S. |
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