Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

rain-laden blossom
 falls… lands with a sound,
  in the mud.

swirled striations 
 in the pond algae
  reflect floating clouds.

at cliff's edge,
 the swaying red poppy, 
  lures one closer.

the monk rode in
 on a bright-eyed tiger, and
  started hulling rice.

clouds drift upon
 mirror clear waters;
  dead tree stillness.

spring gentians
 twirl amid buttercups
  on a green hilltop.

"snow? in mid-Spring!"
 its stay is short, but is felt
  in the porter's bones.

the leaves are gone,
 but the green of moss remains:
  rainy autumn days.

roadside saplings
 take Fall colors for a time,
  before going bare;
 the envy of humans:
 at once young & old.

the cannonball tree:
 blooms bright & intricate, 
  but never delicate.