Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

feet to cold stone -
despite the tropical heat,
a chill is felt

on a green hillside
stands a line of dead trees,
looking like driftwood

on the arid steppe
sits a green oasis -
patchwork fields

mountain Gompa,
fused to the mountainside
as if carved from rock

the tilting boat
slips the nipa labyrinth
with silent ease

breathes in - pauses;
the expected words
do not come;
that rare instance when
mental filters work

the boat sits
as if the scene were painted
in shades of blue

pebble beach -
each cold, crunchy step
sinks deeper

churning water
polishes river rocks
glossy smooth

still river,
mirroring the colors
of autumn