West Lake is beautiful from a small boat.
Green water wends its way through the lotus,
Sweet grass grows thickly all along the bank,
Faint music wafts from unknown points ashore.
When the wind quits, the Lake is glassy smooth;
The boat is perfectly still for a beat,
Then its movement is betrayed by ripples
And startled waterfowls' furious flapping.
Note: The title “Gathering Mulberry Leaves” was used by Xu Yuanchong for his translation. The Chinese title is: 採桑子 (Cǎi Sāngzǐ)
the low morning sun
burns through gray clouds; the
still lake looks iced over
clouds drift upon
mirror clear waters;
dead tree stillness.
The stone Bodhidharma,
Meant as more than likeness.
It tries to copy Damo's
Stillness & uprightness.
urban monkey stops
& turns on an urban vine --
nary a tremor.
trailside chicory
waves on a windless day:
a long-gone cyclist?
the flower bobs
on its long, stiff stem.
the sage is unmoved.
early morning:
it's still dark & darkly still.
one boat floats through.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 