Rice Bowls, Buddha, a Beetle, and Eyelids

In amongst the clatter and shift of rice bowls,
the tenzo wanders the kitchen space.

A crack in the wall holds a monks gaze,
a ripe plum is picked from a cupboard.

~~~

A golden buddha, swathed in jade lights the
hall. A monk stops sweeping to follow a

cranes shadow across the wall. Arc of a flicked
wrist – tea leaves brushed from sleeve to ground.

~~~

Sunlight crashes, breaks on a beetles horn, the
ancient forest ground lit in pure emerald clarity.

Down stream, a gaze protrudes from a conical hat,
a sandal sails by on a hollow reed.

~~~

The moons waxen glow offers no respite,the days
heat plows clean through into night. I gaze out across

the pavilion, kettle bubbles by maidenhair.
I scoop up fallen eyelids, toss them into the pot.

~~~

First image found here: http://www.tricycle.com/-food/instructions-tenzo?page=0,1

Second image found here: http://hua.umf.maine.edu/China/SMpainting/pages/10514wSakyamuni.html

Third image found here: http://www.art-virtue.com/painting/history/yuan/yuan.htm

Fourth image found here: http://www.xabusiness.com/china-resources/ming-dynasty-paintings-4.htm