Withinindra

Within Indra’s net a thousand jewels reside of this we are sure

within the fold of silence a thousand jewels burst forth of this we are sure

within the lap of the lake a million fish frolic fancifully of this we are sure

within the cradle of music thousands dance out their sorrows and pray for peace of this

we are sure

within the next wave a flow will flow just as it flows now flow

within the apocalyptic resonance of this shout ten thousand sparkling daises will bloom at the end of a gun and force their roots down through the barrel in order to make love to the trigger of this we are sure

within the blink of an eye 50,000 died were imprisoned and never returned of this we are sure

within the climb it takes a roller coaster to crest the second to the largest rise at the amusement park a thousand damselflies will take wing and spread light into the sun, foolish yes but of this we are sure

within the time a word is spoken or within the space it takes to pour a pot of tea a roundness

Gary Snyder

I went to see Gary Snyder read,
And how he tied his shoes:
He wore boots without any laces.

When he poured water into a drinking glass
Wobbly atop a stool with of course one of three legs shorter than the others

Everyone waited, and held their breath:
He didn’t spill a drop.

And he cut off two heads,
And didn’t answer the questions that he didn’t want to.

And he said, “This present moment
Will live in the future as long ago.”
And so it will as will this one and the next one.

And my head rang like a wind chime.
And he sang stories about bear scat.

Later I dreamed I was hanging out with Gary Snyder.
I said, “I’m interested in Buddhism.”
He said, “I’m not interested in Buddhism. I’m interested in insect repellent.”