THE SEARCH FOR THE BULL
In the pasture of this world, I endlessly push aside the tall grasses in search of the bull.
Following unnamed rivers, lost upon the interpenetrating paths of distant mountains,
My strength failing and my vitality exhausted, I cannot find the bull.
I only hear the locusts chirring through the forest at night.
DISCOVERING THE FOOTPRINTS
Along the riverbank under the trees, I discover footprints!
Even under the fragrant grass I see his prints.
Deep in remote mountains they are found.
These traces no more can be hidden than one’s nose, looking heavenward.
PERCEIVING THE BULL
I hear the song of the nightingale.
The sun is warm, the wind is mild, willows are green along the shore,
Here no bull can hide!
What artist can draw that massive head, those majestic horns?
CATCHING THE BULL
I seize him with a terrific struggle.
His great will and power are inexhaustible.
He charges to the high plateau far above the cloud-mists,
Or in an impenetrable ravine he stands.
TAMING THE BULL
The whip and rope are necessary,
Else he might stray off down some dusty road.
Being well trained, he becomes naturally gentle,
then, unfettered, he obeys his master.
RIDING THE BULL HOME
Mounting the bull, slowly I return homeward.
The voice of my flute intones through the evening.
Measuring with hand-beats the pulsating harmony, I direct the endless rhythm.
Whoever hears this melody will join me.
THE BULL TRANSCENDED
Astride the bull, I reach home.
I am serene. The bull too can rest.
The dawn has come.
In blissful repose,
Within my thatched dwelling I have abandoned the whip and rope.
BOTH BULL AND SELF TRANSCENDED
Whip, rope, person, and bull–all merge in No-Thing.
This heaven is so vast no message can stain it.
How may a snowflake exist in a raging fire?
Here are the footprints of the patriarchs.
REACHING THE SOURCE
Too many steps have been taken returning to the root and the source.
Better to have been blind and deaf from the beginning!
Dwelling in one’s true abode, unconcerned with that without–
The river flows tranquilly on and the flowers are red.
IN THE WORLD
Barefooted and naked of breast, I mingle with the people of the world.
My clothes are ragged and dust-laden, and I am ever blissful.
I use no magic to extend my life;
Now, before me, the dead trees become alive. –from Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings, Doubleday Anchor
I came across your site while exploring the net for Zen poetry. These Zen writings helped me to accept the recent loss of my watch as I realize that I placed too much importance on it. It is a lesson of impermanence. I have shared these writings with my private poetry forum with full credit given to the source. I hope that is alright with you? I know my members will appreciate reading them.
I am a student of Buddhism. I am retired from an airline and am enjoying being an aura photographer, ASL interpreter, and teacher of Reiki and Karuna Reiki. Your site was a little blessing for me tonight. Mahalo and Aloha, Connie
Yes, I love poems that make the universe crack open. And I also try to give as much attribution as I can, because people deserve it, so I do appreciate your doing that. Otherwise, they should be free.
everything is ……………
transitory, temporary, short-lived,
short term, ephemeral, impermanent,
brief, short, momentary, fleeting, passing …………
a momentary variation in current … lol …
and – at the exact same time
lasting, enduring, continuing, perpetual,
everlasting, eternal, unending, endless,
never-ending, immutable, indestructible ………..
a momentary variation in current … lol …
Love these!