Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

branches twist
 in pretzel-like weaves, 
  stronger for it.

riverside willows
 viewed through the reeds --
  voyeuristically.

in late summer,
 thistles flower brightly --
  then fluff & cede to wind.

early morning:
 it's still dark & darkly still.
  one boat floats through.

the trees are bare;
 winter winds picked them clean.
  a bird lands, chirps, & flees.

a painted stork
 stands so still on one leg,
  passers think it fake.

the stream carries sand,
 dropping it in a broad pool,
  clueless of its work.

the sky 's afire:
 a day's death throes;
  bugs mourn loudly.

the monkey stops
 halfway up a cable climb
  to inspect its toes.

silent Buddhas
 echo down a line
  to the grand stupa.