Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

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

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

bright pink flowers,
staring 'til they blur -
my mind quiets

the sound of rain
begins to speed up;
then steadies