Being Naked

tom killion  tennessee cove  marin headlands

rain-rubbedÂ
the oak tree drops her dress on the creek bankÂ
one root at a time she eases her naked beautyÂ
into the cool green waterÂ
she sees you watching and smilesÂ
waving a branch at youÂ
now the other trees are disrobing tooÂ
the cottonwoodÂ
the pineÂ
the elmÂ
naked trees playing in the creek on a hot dayÂ
laughing and calling out to youÂ
will you go inÂ
won't you be naked tooÂ
----------
I had climbed the hillÂ
and it was not easyÂ
I don't walk well at allÂ
On the far sideÂ
I saw a low countryÂ
a valley that was new to meÂ
and I wanted to go onÂ
but my life told me noÂ
not yetÂ
I was expected for dinnerÂ
a meetingÂ
some people wanted me to speakÂ
about this or thatÂ
but that valleyÂ
that low countryÂ
was beautifulÂ
sooner or laterÂ
I knew that I would needÂ
to keep walking
----------
all lives are touched by sorrow
the question is what do you do next
let me tell you something
the world is still a daisy
even now
breatheÂ
smileÂ
live
-james lee jobe

dailyÂ
the priests minutely examine the law
and endlessly chant complicated sutras
but before doing that they should learn
how to read the love lettersÂ
sent by the wind and rain
the snow and moon
-ikkyū sojun, 1394-1481

Please support this blog with a small donation. Using the 'Buy Me A Coffee' link below is both safe and fast.
Thanks, jljÂ