A small pine branch is growing
from a clay jar all alone
I wonder if it’ll keep on going
beyond the limitations of its womb
A small cloud is steadily flowing
carrying on after the morning rain
I wonder how far it’ll keep on going
till it turns into the morning dew
A young man is slowly writing
at his table wondering about life
I wonder if he’ll keep on trying
till he and his poem become one
Nature is confused
as the february sun
melts the frozen land
Birds start singing
suddenly carried away
by the false spring
Trees begin to bloom
perhaps after a week
and then get freeze-burnt
by the winter coming
back to work...
So few things can compete
with the sound of bamboo leaves
singing in all silence
in the summer morning breeze
Red streaks lie across heavens
from the sunset obscured by the hill
who needs any other omens
when the mind is standing still
I write to you by the moonlight
it isn’t easy, tho’ the Moon is strong
tho’ my mind is fixed
on that beyond right and wrong
And to my faithful companion
I hereby dedicate this song
from my place by the trees
where the scents of lilacs come
I leave my mind dancing
on the midnight’s silent throne
where the Moon brings the only music
to the forest’s soundless song
Another night of clueless dreams
perhaps one day overcome and turned
into lucid dreams that’ll help you see
the nature of being awake
I’ve been waiting for the morning wind
to come and bring me a hint of within
tell me the key to the oldest secret
when petals fall and the birds they sing
In the springtime morning light
that we couldn’t but embrace
little leaves are quietly falling
thru all of time and space
In the songs of hidden lands
across the river to the endless sea
far beyond desert sands
from forests and lonesome trees
Shall we keep it to ourselves
or perhaps make a secret deal
with the ones who understand
shall we share this gentle feel
I’m sitting here watching sunset
already for so many years
today in freezing cold
yesterday and tomorrow
in warm summer breeze
Listen to thousands of leaves falling
in the fragrant autumn breeze
the Sun is low but still shining
tho’ that’s not all the warmth we feel
all is as the universe was planning
since we sit here drinking tea
I OFTEN CHOOSE YOU OVER OTHERS
It’s you and me again
my dear friend
and faithful companion
every now and then
we keep each other company
carrying out our assignments
I sit down here by the trees
you shine up there in the heavens
and together we rejoice
over all the night can offer
Silence is a magic potion
gives all the power in the world
doesn’t leave out a single notion
doesn’t leave you in the cold
Follow me to a secret place
where all we have is light
of countless falling stars
this touching summer night
Coming here I’ve come to see
of all the things in this world
very few find their way to me
but in this time of golden thirst
where else would they be
People don’t care about butterflies
not many seek the scents of trees
the touch of the birds’ orchestra
Day and night they are always near
I am lying here below a pine tree
watching branches from beneath
to wish for anything else
I don’t feel the need…
humming birds and crickets sing
soft wind is blowing into leaves
So suddenly it brought its sway
half-blue sky with rain-scented air
cooled the heat of this sunny day
let’s feel its touch, let’s go and play!
Long gone is the burden
and none of us stays the same
when we leave the shelter
right after rain
The Sun is flooding fields and oceans
lifting up the cloudy veil
spreading warmth and brightness
taking back its reign
Will we stay the same
once we smell the flowers
in this shiny summer haze
as we wake up to this moment
right after rain
From the window’s end
I hear the birds gently sing
perhaps unlike us they understand
the meaning of ten thousand things
Breaking clouds drift away
today blue skies shall prevail
push those clouds from your heart
that's what the wise ones say
How many stories have they told
to make us go and stop the fight
to come and see them unfold
on the full moon’s night
How much have they done
to help others calm and see
to sit on the grass having fun
to feel happiness eternally
Each is part of one whole
one petal on my head just fell
the full story I do not know
only what the flowers tell
Feel the Sun in the meadow
gently flooding all with light
and the trees casting shadow
surrounded with teeming Life
Daisies dancing in the sunset
Eyes closed, the wind blows over me
pine tree branches shivering
telling stories to the evening breeze
Let the Sun keep shining
let the mind be clear
with the willows dancing
let the troubles disappear
I WANNA BE A POET IN THIS TIME
For there still are poets in this time
who stop and smell flowers for a while
but rather than a Sun that shines
I wanna be a sparkle in your eyes
that ignites the flame of compassion
Clouds head south with the wind
Cold air hurts the blooming hills
But the Sun came to warm our skin
patiently saving every living thing
FOR ALL WHO LOVE THE FEELING
Once again
the season has turned
once again
the birds have arrived.
The winter is gone
yet trees are still sleeping
the spring has come
soon we’ll all start blooming
The freshness of the Sun
so warm and touching
as the wind gently blows
for all who love the feeling
FEW HUMBLE SONGS TO THE MOON
Like a pebble in the stream
thru the world we shall float
Like the Moon or so it seems
thru the sky we shall roam
Even when it can’t be seen
the Moon will shine
In your heart even a streetlamp
can remind you of the Moon
To 李白(Li Bai)
a fellow admirer of the Moon
I suspect you’d understand
You could say about those of any time
How fast and far we went
You’d say then, I’d say now
I suspect you’d understand
like you did hundreds of years ago
how much time we have spent
I think of you when I look at the Moon
I suspect you’d understand
Tho’ I don’t drink to the Moon
I raise my cup to you, my friend
My dress isn’t of a scholar
yet my thoughts are clear
My soul isn’t of a beggar
I don’t fear the end
The mist haven’t lifted
the Sun is big and red
there stands a pilgrim
whose bow is motionless
Not much has changed
hence not much can I say
I’m thinking to myself
what a beautiful place
This is a regular pilgrim
with a heart full of grace
and this final report from
A place of no importance
Who wouldn’t look up to the moon
when all the worries have gone away
Who wouldn’t warm up in the sun
after a winter, cold and pale
As far as the thick snowy clouds go
another hazy sleepy morning shade
Through cracks the cold wind blows
memories of the summer slowly fade
The sunlight comes thru the window
to tell stories from far away
From snow-covered hills the wind blows
although cold and sleepy, it comes to play
Let’s sit and “take a walk” in a warm haze
let’s think of the summer’s glow…
It won’t be long till the spring days
cherries and lilacs will touch our soul
Equanimous to yet another election
trees dance in the wind
Who deserves their deepest affection?
The sun rays always coming in
Climbing up in the sunset
out of breath I greet the trees.
Standing there dressed in red
they watch the Sun in peace
Yet Nature is all silent
even time starts to freeze
Birds, crickets, they all went
somewhere warm to sleep
Let the mountains melt
let the Sun shine on
A ceremony to be held
raising hopes of all
An old sentiment
in this age of cold
A little happiness to be felt
a little smile for us all
I can see them coming
waves fly with the wind
see the ocean dancing
all memories taken in
Far away in space
tho'not yet in time
still feel the sun on my face
yet my naked hand is freezing
Let me stay here for a while
for soon I’ll be on my way
Let us throw away disguise
of all the games we play
Walk with me side by side
under the bright Moon’s sway
Dragonflies come with the Sun
The Moon brings fireflies to me
Scents of long grass and pine wood
carress me with the summer breeze
Sing little birds, as I slowly fall asleep
Set on a journey to find my way
a friendly spirit appeared all of a sudden.
Showed me green trees far away
pristine water nourished them like a true mother
The willows played with the wind
as I was nearing the river
All the birds would sing
to their music, to their shiver
I stand by the Sun
when spring turns into summer
You stand by the Moon
when you smell the scent of flowers
Would it be too soon
if we laid down and just listened…
REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE SOUL
My home's with nature
it has all I need
the innermost of culture
and no place for greed
Songs of birds have brought me here
I could listen all day long
cleaning my soul from all the smear
enjoying the calmness on and on
White clouds float to distance
to bring water, to protect from the heat
my thoughts are all in silence
and gentle wind blows on my feet
One cloudy morning in spring
the scent of lilacs came to me
in the warm air birds were singing
that time, I was pouring tea
Say homage
to this place of no importance
Say homage
to this land of peace and saintless
where no one special
comes to bow
Come here to see
what no school of wisdom
worship in its texts;
Come here to visit
to sit in silence, to taste the air
and feel the spirit
of this place
So I come here…
For I am no one special
I come here to bow
To thank this place
to say my homage
to this beautiful valley
of mist and sunset
I come here to think
like those scholars
searching for a reason
why keep living
like those beggars
searching for a way
how to survive
But people do come here
to chat and complain
about glory of others
to sink in their pain
to drown in concepts
of all they had lost
Are they blinded
and ignore this place’s magic?
Or perhaps…
Is it me who brought it here?
So both the reason to bow
and the object of bowing
are born within us
Thus I hope
this place won’t become
many pilgrims’ destination;
I hope it won’t loose
its deep and magical spirit
of unimportance
For you can find here,
peace and Emptiness
My friend the leaf
taken by the wind
to another land
set sails with joy
to a new home where
glimpse the sky and clouds
feel the grace of trees
Once you find your place
sit there on a green moss
caress it by your lightness
Look above to the trees
greet the people passing
Fill their mind with ease
for they with hearts clouded
blinded by sorrow
might still be roaming
in their endless search
naive dreams of tomorrow
AT THE WATERFALL OF PEACE
Sing for us, little bird
sing your beautiful songs
Let the waterfall and trees
play their magical music
be your ultimate orchestra
Sing for the cancer
hiding under stones
Sing for the clouds
giving us precious gift
in the form of water
Sing for the Sun
shining on us, giving life
to ten thousand things
Sing for the trees
letting us rest in shadows
Sing for the pilgrims
trying to fill their hearts
with calmness and peace
setting for their journey
to help ten thousand things
There is nothing
more pleasing
than summer breeze
engulfing your body
more touching
than the ocean
cooling your feet
more brightening
than sun rays
warming your skin
If there are no clouds
and your mind is clear
like the blue skies
if there are no waves
and your heart is calm
like the vast ocean
your soul is peaceful
heart strong, yet gentle
You are living
in good times
Birds came back
Although the Sun is hidding
To taste my tea
Although the rain is coming
Today soft breeze instead
gently touches my cheek
The Sun is our guest again
these days more and more
to say hello every morning
through the window comes
Does it like the tea in my pot?:)
Let’s continue the journey again
to give life to all living things
to brighten up the hearts of those
roaming the world in darkness
With the hope for better times
go forward to the future
However, don’t long for the Sun
outside of you on the sky;
instead, drive away the clouds
far from your heart
and let it shine steadily
on your life’s path
The sun just came
along with a dragonfly
Came to say hello
and stayed around
The sun came through the window
greeting all of us
All of us gazing the future
wishing for the best
but expecting unexpected
The birdsong
Why does it sound so beautiful
why does it touch our hearts
For what we feel
is neither good, nor sad
is neither touching, nor cold
It is harmony of our thoughts
Our joy is never found
never lost.
I want to be a tree
To glimpse millennia
to live without greed
To be ever present
for all living things
For some as shelter
for others a place to live
Without eyes
there wouldn’t anything I could see;
Without heart
I wouldn’t be;
And definitely -
I wouldn’t have written anything
without the help of tea
With the coming dawn
Great journey I am going to make
to greet the morning sun
LaoZi has bowed to the west
Passing through millenia
And letting the sun in peace
on a tea leaf silently rest
In the brink of dawn
I put myself to sleep
Made my bed above the forest
with the Moon under my head
All our feelings
All our egos
All the bowls full of water
All the suffering and tears
never present in the spring time breeze
gently caressing your cheek
The day begins
with the Sunrise
thanks to its gentle touch
helping all living things
to thrive
The day begins
with a cup of Tea
Thanks to its gentle taste
helping all human beings
to find happiness in their lives
