Month: August 2022

color combined with color blinds eyes
sound upon sound deafens ears
flavor covering flavor deadens tongues
pacing and racing scares minds
treasure loses options

thus are the wise guided
by belly breathing
not ten thousand sensations
letting those go
choosing this

different numbers of spokes share a wheel’s hub
they all stop at the center axle hole
clay can make ten thousand different vessels
the space within measures it usefulness
a room without doors or windows
is only useful as a casket a grave
profit is made on what is there
usefulness revolves around what is not there

affirming presence and meaning
including that beyond
separation yet abides
attending with child-wide eyes
practicing joint suppleness
does not keep us a new-born babe
perfecting a primary vision
adjusting its details
is not defense against error
respecting the unwashed masses
while presiding over decision-making
requires more than nimble cleverness
claiming control over heaven’s gates
and creature’s rights
only harms without a night mother’s eyes
following a way of understanding
open to ever next events
sets a context of doing nothing

birth and growth
having without having
labor for its own sake
beckoning without domineering
measure an ethical life
prepare a mythic headstone

full to the brim promises spillage
an over-sharpened blade quickly blunts
increased treasure requires ever more vigilance
assumed privilege endangers everyone
work without rest is soon overworked
better ways are available

lowly water informs all else
enlivening ten thousand things without striving
flowing to the depths ta*-like

dwelling close with land
meditating deep in an underground heart
engaging others gently kindly
speaking accurately
making with competence
acting with humor’s timing

softly softly without blame

heavens and earth persist
asserted
heavens and earth persist
questioned
heavens and earth persist
because
heavens and earth persist
alpha and omega

a wise one persists and buds
unattached to any era
present in each and every
selfless and fulfilled

a valley spirit remains
woman primal mother
a gateway rooting inward and outward
mirage and after-image
ever more births will never fill it

heavens and earth
absence and presence
desireless
gaze upon ten-thousand things
as they appear

a wise one
visible and invisible
powerless
gazes upon people
as they appear

space between each contrast
pulses as a bellows
shapes change forms remain
pushing moves and yields
the more the words the less they count

hold fast every between

beyond within without
we know only empty
from which we draw
and never empty

there is no cutting a way through
pull this strand and that
proceed by touch
until dust

a hidden beyond
whispers confidences
without any usual authority
while ancestors turn descendants

exultation and praise begin competition
treasure is a magnet for theft
unseeing a desire clears a heart’s confusion

wise decisions rise from a clean heart and enough for others
weakening ambition and strengthening community
in the face of ignorance and desire
refrain from offering answers
an encompassing response offers a next wellness