The Way is the Refuge

"The way is the refuge for the myriad creatures.
It is that by which the good man protects,
And that by which the bad is protected.
Beautiful words when offered will win high rank in return." – Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching









July 31


At eye level
hunched over paddle board
chop of waves
comes the voice
of the earth

listen to the chatter
listen to the alter ego
for most the time
we stand so stern above
and say to ourselves
        – thank you river for the fish
           thank you for the blue
           thank you for the speed
           by motors
           and our lovely sails

feet down there deep
under the board
and it is the bowels
of the earth cooling
down to where the washed
over timber has been
blinded but not unloved
by the call the flow

let go of the board
who are you my son
water to water
two diamond eyes
two miracles by pupils
back home again