“We are masters of the universe”
the cartoon heroes declare,
“fighting for truth and justice.”
Rabbits don’t seem impressed
as they nibble away
on the rain soaked grass.
Outside the hall of mirrors
I watch with the tide
and wait upon the wind.
Quietly my friend,
let’s pick our way
on the stone littered path
to the great hall of silence;
no chanting, no speeches,
only the reverberation
of the bell without sound
beckoning us back to life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “Bell Without Sound” with music by Bagno Armonico

Looking within
I find seasoned wood
split and ready for the pyre.
I throw in with heretics
daring immolation,
snow monks melting ice
with silence.
The inner fire grows hot
as more of myself
turns into flame,
heat preparing me
for the distant mountain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “Prepare for the Mountain” with music by the Gyuto Monks

I know the remorse of an aging man,
the plague of choices I might have made,
worn faces risen as ambition failed
and loneliness became my comfort.
I hear your voice from another world,
your face refreshed by dreams.
I reach out but there is no flesh,
only the essence of your fair-skinned beauty
free from mortal burden.
I’m not ready to depart,
hoping yet for the clans to gather
on horses multicolored and proud,
our long hair flowing in prairie winds.
We may by then have learned to love each other
and trust our footing through the sea of grass,
human now with the earth become our friend.

 

Orcas Island
June 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “Prairie Winds” with music composed and played by Jack Jenkins and Maryliz Smith

Closed in under dense clouds
I shelter from the rain
drumming on the cabin roof,
my soul drunk with peace
from the deep well
of silence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading of “From the Deep Well” with music by Norm Smookler