This World is not Conclusion. A Species stands beyond -- Invisible, as Music -- But positive, as Sound -- It beckons, and it baffles -- Philosophy, dont know -- And through a Riddle, at the last -- Sagacity, must go -- To guess it, puzzles scholars -- To gain it, Men have borne Contempt of Generations And Crucifixion, shown -- Faith slips - and laughs, and rallies -- Blushes, if any see -- Plucks at a twig of Evidence -- And asks a Vane, the way -- Much Gesture, from the Pulpit -- Strong Hallelujahs roll -- Narcotics cannot still the Tooth That nibbles at the soul --
A little black thing among the snow, Crying ''weep! 'weep!' in notes of woe! 'Where are thy father & mother? say?' 'They are both gone up to the church to pray.
'Because I was happy upon the heath, 'And smil'd among the winter's snow, 'They cloth'd me in the clothes of death, 'And taught me to sing the notes of woe.
'And because I am happy & dance & sing, 'They think they have done me no injury, 'And are gone to praise God & his Priest & King, 'Who make up a heaven of our misery.'
Unfathomable Sea! whose waves are years, Ocean of Time, whose waters of deep woe Are brackish with the salt of human tears! Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow Claspest the limits of mortality!
And sick of prey, yet howling on for more, Vomitest thy wrecks on its inhospitable shore; Treacherous in calm, and terrible in storm, Who shall put forth on thee, Unfathomable Sea?
The moon sets; crows caw below frosty skies. Boats, moored to maples -- lamps glow like cat eyes. Cold Mountain Temple, outside Gusu's bounds: The midnight bell cuts off soft water sounds.
The monk’s entire body is present in this great circle. Xutang’s true face and eye emerge from it. The blind singer’s love song delights flowers for ten thousand springs.
Translation by Kazuaki Tanahashi and David Schneider in Essential Zen (1994) HarperSanFrancisco.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 