Bonsai of Thoughts: Ninety-One

1. Look toward my temple;
it will seem there are only offerings, no priest.
Look toward my garden;
it will seem there are only roses, no gardener.

2. I recognize the rose by its petals;
not by its thorns.
I recognize humanity by the heart's remorse;
not by its errors.

3. On autumn days, across the fields
they are so busy...gathering the harvest.
Meanwhile I sit on the platform, basking in sunlight...
under the roof, lest rain should come!

4. Spring has gone, summer has arrived.
Looking up at the sky, I see
angels hanging out their clothes to dry,
leaning against the mountainside.

5. Trailing from the mountain parrot's tail
spreads green...making the trees feel neglected.
I rest my eyes on that green;
night falls, gradually my sight wears away.

6. Walking along the ocean shore,
I see the sun rise over mountain peaks.
Is mountain sea, is wave radiance...
I remain caught in this uncertainty.

7. From beyond the mountains drifts
the deer's piercing cry!
Hearing that cry, on this side of the mountains
wild preparations for a feast begin.

8. While walking on the bridge,
suddenly seeing the king's crown...
I chase away the night, and
daylight gradually comes.

9. When I look up at the sky,
thoughts rise even higher,
darkness descends in the moon's shadow...
when I flee from the sun's fierce burning.

10. My house is here in this corner of the city,
yet my room is in the village.
I live quite well in mansion rooms,
I survive under thatched huts.

11. Heavy rains wash away even the flower's vivid color!
What I find beautiful,
how much excitement it once brought...
with the color floats away an entire colorful life.

12. The visitor who has wandered a long way,
the friend who stays beside with a smile on his face,
all such kinds of people, who come and go—
they gather on this side of the mountain, and rest.

13. I pray for the fishermen,
may their nets and boats fill with fish.
I pray for the fish,
may the seas and depths fill with fishermen.

14. O stormy wind, bring clouds!
Paint heaven gray today,
so that even by mistake, the celestial nymphs
won't break the angels' wings!

15. River water comes crashing at the mountain's feet,
firm like my love, that water's body,
even when night falls...within the water
it's not water's play that continues, but power's.

16. Ah, why doesn't love allow thinking!
It scrambles even desires.
I feel as if I'm that design on a sari's border,
carelessly drawn, all crooked and bent.

17. Don't worry, Mother; one day I too will return
carrying goods in my hands.
Time seems never to end,
cursed by time that has ended.

18. On mountain peak after peak,
in the gaps between ancient trees,
settlements of sighs, solitary whispers.
Forgetting all this, one day I'll surely come to you.

19. Straw and some dry yellow leaves floating in the river,
they all seem like eternal gods!
They look at us, and say in gentle voice,
not one of these sweet songs has the right tune.

20. Ocean waves come to kiss my feet constantly,
yet it doesn't come.
When I walk through mountains and rest my eyes on my own eyes,
even then, even by mistake, dreams don't touch me.