Recluse (South Mountain) (Poems)

Open bramble gate, morning lets itself in,
eyes open in welcome. Water stirs – a

glance outside. A jade tiger rises,
blue herons fly to South Mountain.

~~~

Forage through herb abundance on South
Mountain sunlight pooled in cassia leaves.

It’s why you reclused here, hermitage entwined
in viridian mists. I find your footprints

headed to the clouds, so I leave this
poem on your wall and on a whim

ascend South Mountain ridges. Sticks
snap underfoot – blue herons startle away.

~~~

Boundless and empty to townsfolk,
South Mountain peaks. But here

immortals dance among indomitable pines.
Above the sun blue herons fly into

paper crumpled clouds – clouds the body,
clouds the wings. Sonorous bird song –

radiant clarity – makes mountain forests
sing, each beat moves the clouds, red

dust cleared from rivers and peaks,
ochre streams flood forests and fields,

canyons and gorges, jades and emeralds rise.
Petals scatter on crystalline swells, night

lengthens slowly – coldness wanders by
but I will linger here, a little longer.

~~~

Poems and poets that inspired this: http://skyraftwanderer.blogspot.com/2012/01/poems-from-china.html

And the Pokemon Altaria.

Picture one found here: http://www.xabusiness.com/china-resources/song-liao-jin-dynasties-paintings.htm

Picture two found here: http://www.brogilbert.org/tao_art.htm

Picture three found here: http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/tours/15-days-Golden-Triangle-Tour-with-Tibet-and-Yangtze-Cruise/itinerary.html

Some overflow with additional drafts (nearly included these instead): https://skyraft.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/recluse-south-mountain-overflow/