Old Risu's Toe Nails
225 - 250


225. Young white tea flower
Blinding in the moonlight.
I bet you will taste good
Tommorow.

226. The night wind
Passes through my robes.
Red sunset moon.

227. Many flowers
Grow from one.
Their sacred landscape
Undisturbed.

228. So many old trees
Frozen on the horizon
As night descends.

229. Today I polished
My bamboo stick.
No slivers to leave.

230. A steady rain sweeps the lake.
Ducks and geese shelter under the willow.
Would that I could share my tea;
Bird party.
Crazy old priest, senile old man!
You'ld have to hold the cups for them.

231. A student asked,
"I have not met Old Risu yet.
What does he look like?"
Sensei replied,
"Fallen leaves, no rake."

232. Aches of years ago
While my mind sees
Glorious Autumn birth.

233. So many words
To tell one things clearly.
What is the fuss?

234. So many buds
On the willow at dawn.
My eyes are shut.

235. Confusion of winds.
Half a day rains.
Half a day sun and moon.
Even an old fool
Knows which is which.

236. Much too hazy
Thoughts at twelve midnight.
Oh blessed tea cup.

237. First leaf appears.
Spring nears my doorway.
I am out seeing.

238. Fresh Jasmine tea.
I have to laugh, hah!
A cup of mind.

239. Waking or dreaming
Neither real or unreal.
The cuckoo sings.

240. A student asked,
"When you rest where are you?"
"Exactly where I should be,
Exactly where I am at the moment,
Exactly," said Old Risu.

241. Just so, alone.
So far the forest silence.
Inbetween times.

242. Mountain walking now,
Cloud chasing madman.
Note to self, "go."

243. There is no attaining
In a dewdrop
Crossing my tounge
This misty morning.

244. What will you eat
When the Sensei's mind
Takes a vacation
Beneath the illusory willow?

245. Touch the untouchable
And your eye is the moon.
Such a strange thought
For a priest in his dotage.

246. The tea tray is not so heavy
Yet the tea is very filling.
When the pot is empty
The tray may vanish.

247. Waterfall,
Breaking through all
My selfish illusions;
How masterful.

248. Exhausted as dawn breaks.
Tea cup drained
As the last star vanishes.
My pillow calls me.

249. At dawn
The first Springs wrens
Begin their songs
Easing me to sleep.

250. With no eyebrow to raise
I can only use my stick on you.
No power you posses
Can save you from that.

With love;

T.S.
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