The Bonsai of Thought: One Hundred and Six

1. In the clock shop
the hands show
noon again and again;
even after evening has fallen!

2. Can one reach out
for alms...
to someone whose hand
you have never held?!

3. The clarity
of each moment
is what we call spring rain.

4. Sometimes,
the flower ages itself
deliberately...
to fall.

5. Memory means...
a few pale petals
of roses
floating in our thoughts.

6. Walking on the seashore means...
the resentment of pebbles
scattered inside sandals.

7. Very early in the morning
in dim light
on butterfly wings
the sin of night.

8. More important than being able
to speak precious words
is making words precious.

9. He who has no one
has his wine.

10. The strong write.
The weak, unable to write,
cut off the fingers of the strong.

11. He has two lovers.
One lover tends to him with care.
The other lover he tends with care.

12. On the far side of the mountain
night falls in haste,
to cover the shadow of day.

13. The diary's...
some pages hold complaints,
some pages hold hurt,
some pages hold requests.

14. In the final scene of this life—
I was slowly moving away
from her two eyes.

15. On starlit nights...
the unborn child's
big toe
dances in its mother's belly.

16. He goes to newer and newer foreign lands,
finds joy in his homeland's funeral rites.

17. In morning prayers...
the orchids absorb
the humming of bees.

18. The crow, huddled
from winter's blow,
considers its ability to fly
itself a prayer.

19. When God's voice
grows muted
under muscle's dominance...

20. The ritual
that provokes behavior
is nothing but bigotry.