Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

even the small mountains
 hide their tops in the clouds:
  rainy winter day.

roots held up the wall;
 the wall supports the tree.
  now, they’re one & same.

a heron stands
 with perfect stillness,
  in frigid water.

frangipani
 have dropped leaves & blossoms,
  & stand gnarled & nude.

a barren tree
 stands in the temple yard:
  winter’s guardian.

waves jet upward
 with unpredictable rhythm:
  glance away, miss it.

hibiscus flowers 
 show their bright colors
  on a winter day.

waves hit rocky shore
 and spout a geyser that rains
  like a mini squall.

the grass sways,
 while skyscrapers stand stiffly:
  so impressive, the grass!

on a gray day,
 a mournful river slows 
  almost to a stop.