A poem:
the buddha sitting-out-in-all-weathers

in my garden is a stone buddha

it sits out there in all weathers
there are many buddhas in my head
they sit out there in all weathers

the cat comes and jumps on the table
as i write this
everything is impermanent and yet
everything needs tending

even the stone buddha gathers dust
as it sitsa there in all weathers
even my hair turns grey
as i practice the Dhama to stop time

our lives pass in a fleeing moment
death is always with us
the buddha sitting out in all weathers
will disappear and die

enjoy life while you can
and do good works
the only thing that will live after us
is our good deeds

don't be idle, don't be idle
even the stone buddha dies

-Tetsuko of Cold Mountain-

More poems by Testuko:

Squirrel Trails
What Goes Around Comes Around
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