Despair

When despair is upon you
And there's nowhere to go
Escape the turmoil and
Look to your inner self
For in that calming place
All the answers are found
Aside from the dismay and fear
As long as you remember
Life can be a peaceful thing
Lived for just you, not them
Then you can really live

Again

With the breeze blowing
The air is stirred slightly
Moving the mind and body
Slowly then the voice engages
Politely at first, then not so
Then harshly speaks the mind
And then all goes wrong again

Understanding

Understanding life is no more than
Watching the leaves as they drift
Feeling the rain drops as they fall
Noticing the snowflakes gather
Viewing the river as it runs
It is then you understand.

Place of Calm

Turn to yourself to attempt to end
The drive to despair and turn to nowhere
For the answer is there in the place of calm
Allowing you the escape from turmoil.

Life is actually quite good if remembered
That is just for yourself and not others
That life is meant to be lived.

The Past is Lived

The past is lived over again and again
Playing over and over for ourselves
Yet we tend to push off the bad memories
And hold onto the best ones.

We remember the gentle moments and
We recall the sweet smiles for a long time
As well the soft touches of those we loved
Clinging to them and storing them away.

Though the memories’ fine and last a long time
Their breezes and scents hold no weight
As long as the ones we have loved
Remain a part of our lifes, stirring our souls.

The Gap

Seeking that which is
reveals those who seek
And the wise become plain.

If one never seeks
To find any understanding
Then the plain becomes the wise.

Either wise or plain
Seeker or not
Closer closes the gap.

Emotion

The evening closes in on him
With the darkness providing warmth
One seeking out the other
Not as prey, but with gladness
For life is fulfilled with emotion
With little feelings and expressions
And without them, each of us perish

Safety in Shadows

Step away from the light

Back into the shadows

And feel the light fade away

As the darkness enfolds

Comforting and soothing

Yet those beyond still pass

But if you’re quiet, they move by

Never noticing you there

So you slide back safely

Into the arms of the shade

Knowing the mist protects

And the shadows hide you

So briefly you breathe

And worry passes away

'Cause the evil cannot touch

And the people cannot reach

Their harm evades you here

In the shadows you are yourself

And peace reigns over all

But eventually it must end

Then you step forth again

And the light flashes upon you

As you move amongst them

Understanding

I may not understand history
And philosophy escapes me
But the cool breeze frees me
Running up my bare arms

Life and Death

Life and death is energy
With birth no atom is added
With death no particle lost
Therefore life is the unborn
Death is the unextinguished

Light and Dark

Light and dark, walk hand in hand
through the depths of the night
Together we can see the mountains
We can see the depths of valleys
They have it all for us.

Rain falling

Listen to the rain falling
Little the patter of feet
Each storm that is missed
Is an experience tossed away
When clouds form in the Rockies
Rain falls in the Catskills
Live the storm's wonder

The Peak

The way to the top
Is difficult and hard
The path is strewn with rocks
And when the peak is reached
It is covered in heavy mist
Yet the entire path has been
A peak unto itself too.

Fork in the Road

A man sat at a fork in the road. Every time someone came along, he waited to see which way they went. If the person went to the left, he shook his head sadly and sighed loudly. If the person went to the right, he smiled to him and wished him a pleasant day.

This went on for a long time. Finally one day a young boy stopped and inquired of the man, "Why do you sit here?"

"Why not, these people obviously need my guidance and wisdom."

"But you say the same thing each time. You shake your head and sigh whenever anyone goes left and you smile and are pleasant whenever anyone goes right. There is no guidance and, as for wisdom, I see none. Both paths join together again 100 yards down the way."

"yet in all the time I have greeted people, you are the only one who has been wise enough to observe this. half the people change paths and half the stumble and act confused as they go along, no matter how many times they have gone down the paths. Obviously they need some help. I simply provide one of life's necessary services."

Wild Lavender and the Fire Phoenix

There once grew some wild lavender. Now normally lavender does not grow wild, but is a very domestic plant, tame, following all the rules. But this lavender never lean to follow the rules and it grew wild and free; well, as wild and free as lavender can grow. It had long stems and flowing sprouts and the aroma was everywhere. Lots of people liked the aroma but did not necessarily enjoy the freedom of the lavender and tried to curtail the wildness of the plant. The lavender resisted all attempts to set limits on it.

In the same region lived a fire phoenix. This was an older phoenix and very wise. He was a free bird and no one messed with the phoenix, but then the phoenix did not bother anyone either. He had learned, wisely, to respect the boundaries of others and to avoid the needless conflicts of the world around him. He lived by a motto, “You leave me alone, and I’ll leave you alone.” It worked out well for him.

One day he encountered the wild lavender. He was fascinated by the plant – both by the beauty of the growth, and the aroma it emitted, and the wondrous color of the lavender. Since lavender was a plant and not a being, he began to spend time with it, to cultivate it. He watered it and brought it plant food. He trimmed it and pampered it and the lavender grew ever brighter in his presence.

Yet the lavender was wild and the phoenix was a fire bird and the two would never be close. Eventually the phoenix realized the plant would always be wild and could not be tamed. No matter how much attention he paid the lavender, it continued to grow in sporadic manners and could not be brought into boundaries.

There came a day when, in the middle of a field, apprentices could be seen compiling a giant funeral pyre of wood. Logs of all sizes were brought forth from miles around and added to the pyre. Kindling was inserted at the base and the pyre was set in the cleared field. People began to gather. They came from the villages and from the farms. They came from near and far. A phoenix rebirth was about to occur and none wished to miss it.

When all had gathered, the phoenix made his entrance. He brought with him the wild lavender, now potted and wheeled to the edge of the pyre to be with the phoenix at his moment of glory. The phoenix raised a wing to hush the crowd and spoke.

“A phoenix lives 500 years. During his life he gathers a tremendous volume of wisdom and knowledge. At the end of the 500 years, he sets a funeral pyre, enters it and emerges a new-born bird, to start again the cycle. I have lived a long life and have learned many things. I have learned I do not like many beings or to be among others. I found a love for this wild lavender, as it does not talk back or argue with me. However, plants, like people and birds, have longevity too and soon outlive their purpose. Such is life. Now the end is upon us and entry to the pyre must occur.”

With that the apprentices lit the kindling and the fire ignited and the funeral pyre flames danced to the heavens. Fire lighted the sky and the crowds pushed back. The phoenix stepped forward and, in one mighty motion, thrust the lavender into the fire. “My time is not upon me but the lavender is done. May something better emerge from this.”

Of course nothing emerged from the fire. The phoenix turned out to be not so smart after all. The fire consumed the plant completely and the phoenix waited for naught. The lesson is, don’t assume that because something works for you, it works for everyone.

Night and Light

It is the middle of the night
Yet there is still light
In the middle of the light
There is still the night
The truth of this is yet to be
Within the realm of reality

Trampled

Trampled to death by living
A man has come to life
A glimpse of humanity for him
And the whole world lives

Contentment

If the world contained only you and I
Still would I be content
For nothing more do I need for me
For my soul to be at rest

Clearing the way

When the illusion is dissolved
The light can emerge
Then the self can be forgotten
And things fade away
As the way finally becomes clear

Vision

When you see, all things are one
If you don't, they remain separate.
When you fail to see, there is one
If you do, they become different.

Traveling

You go, only to arrive.
Yet you get there, no house.
You leave, planning a trip
Only to find, no destination.
Eventually you ponder this.
How can this be; here you are?
Right here where you've always been.

Learning

Self-wise professors who talk all the time
Fail to utter a coherent sound
The student who is all-knowing in every class
Completely misses the point
Yet even then the world is somehow for us
A much better place to be

Compassion

The river flows through
the valley is so dry
The breeze blows strongly
But no air is felt here
Compassion has found there's
No place to call home here

Eyes and Nose

Climb the highest peak
Run through the deepest vale
Still the mystery remains
Your eyes stay horizontal
Your nose runs vertical

Eyes Open

The sky clears, the sun alights
The clouds form, the rain falls
Patterns forming on our horizon
Who notices our lives changing

A Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a little witch. She was a pretty little witch living in a fool’s world. She lived in the woods outside of town with her mommy, a servant woman, and daddy, an ogre, and her brother, the half-orc. And lived is what she did, because her parents ignored her and let her do anything she felt like. They did not have good parenting skills. So the little witch grew up in the woods and she taught herself to misbehave. Misbehaving got attention. Soon she found other bad little warlocks and witches, just like her, and they became friends. She envisioned herself as a leader of her friends, but she wasn’t. She was never a leader. She was a going-a-longer, which is not quite as bad as a follower, but almost. Anyway, she would sometimes sound off, stick in her two cents worth and then she would go along with whatever the others did.
One day she discovered her friends had been seized by the town leaders and accused of terrible crimes, oh dear. They were accused of being bad evil witches and warlocks and anarchists. But worse was, that when she discovered the accusations, she knew the charges were true. The girl waited for the town leaders to come for her too but they never did. They wanted the leaders, not the going-a-longers and followers. She was scared and decided right then she would be a better person.
She started acting somewhat normal and doing better in school and she found new friends. Life at home was hard for the girl. She did not get along with her uncaring parents and her brother was becoming more orc-like every day. He was mean and scary. Her mother was always tired and her father was still an ogre. Eventually she left her neglectful parents and half-orc brother and went to live with another family. Her new family was loving and caring. She had a hard time understanding life there. They tried to teach her hard concepts: respect, responsibility, affection, ethics and morals. She resisted. She claimed her life had been fine and her ways were best for her. She could not see her own flaws. But she wanted to fit in and didn’t want to be sent away. She was scared and decided right then she would be a better person.
The family found a good school for the witch to go to. In order for her to go, she would have to study hard and do well. She would work harder and try to be all the things her new family wanted her to be. So she went to the new school. She was scared and decided right then she would be a better person. But soon she was back to her old going-a-long ways and she found people who were different, misfits, outsiders, malcontents, and dropouts and started to revert to her old ways again.
One week she was a witch, the next a vegetarian. She was into the stars, then the market, then something else. She had a new friend. The following week another new one and the old one was gone, only to be replaced by a coven of new ones. The pattern was established and intensified. She fell in love, she fell out of love. She fell in lust and out again. She was scared and decided right then she would be a better person.
Then she discovered the world of the Darwinian castoffs and she was sure she was home at last. These were rejects even rejects could reject. How much better did the world get? She cast aside all else and threw herself into the Darwinian pot. She even tried to make Darwinian stew herself. However, like with everything else in the life, this too proved to be too much and the stew failed to materialize. Eventually the Darwinians found she was not really one of them (they were very retarded) and she had to leave. She was scared and decided right then she would be a better person.

She moved back with her mother and the ogre and the half-orc brother and tried to find herself. The witch had spent so long pretending to be many different things, she was not sure what she really was any more. Life went by one day at a time and she was sometimes bored, but one thing she was sure of. This time, she was not scared and she was going to be a better person.

Our pasts

Pasts are lived forever
Played over in our minds.
Soon we cast aside the bad
And grasp onto the good.
Gentle smiles and sweet kisses
Touches soft and smooth to feel.
These we remember well for time
Passing on as we cling to them.
But the memories are still strong
In our minds long after they're
Long gone from our doings, yet
Sweet breezes hold no touch
And light scents cannot last
As long as people we have loved.
May the thoughts linger long and
The love endure longer for those
We have had in our pasts.

Autumn

If you cannot understand
Look to the autumn and
Search the leaves of red.
Watch the wind blow across,
And the grass wave as it does.
Hear the crunch as you walk.

Sacred

I see a world of ordinary
In which nothing is sacred.
As I look at the sacred,
I see only the ordinary.

Such is Life

The moon is cold and the wind is strong. Still I move closer to the fire. When the rains start, i huddle. When they roar, I cringe.I open an umbrella for dryness. When the fire dies, I am cold. When the umbrella folds, I get wet. Such is life.

The Valley

The valley lay out before me,
Carpeted in lush shades of green.
The grasses so thick no sound heard
As I walked through the vale.
Bright bushes surround me everywhere,
Buffering the trails and pathways.
Overhead dense foliage nearly block the sun,
As trees press into one another.
Joy is a day in the life.

The Moon

The moon is out tonight
And it is cold on me
I freeze under its' orb
It is so hot down here

Needlessly Toil

We rack our brains
We struggle at work
We needlessly toil
Yet for what in the end
Our eyes are still horizontal
And our noses still function

Dirt and Ashes

You can gather up the dirt
And sweep up the ashes
But the wisdom of the universe
Is like ashes and dirt
The more that's swept
The more there is

Dirt and Trash

There are those who speak
Of sweeping away the dirt
And ridding us of trash
But the simple truth of time
Is that dirt and trash
Have always been and always
Will be a part of our lives

The Waters

There is an ancient pond
Whose waters run deeply cold
And people come from miles around
To taste the spirits of the waters
But water is water after all

Lessons

They talk to us and they just talk
And when they have finished
We still believe so little
Yet we follow like sheep
And we pay the price of serfs

Walk

Tom and Sam were walking in the woods one day. Tom spotted a leaf along the path and bent to pick it up. Holding the leaf, he turned to Sam and said, “Behold the maple leaf. One it was part of a majestic tree, providing foliage and shade in the forest. Now it is just a leaf, lying on the ground, waiting to become compost.”

Sam held up his hand, bit s corner of his nail off, spit it on the ground, and said, “There is a fingernail. It is debris. So fucking what? Can we please just walk?”

Envision

Envision the scene; a small wooded area with a pristine view, a small pond perfectly formed fed by an equally small stream. The entire scene is tucked back in an untraveled, uncharted area. Then one day a young man stumbled upon this beautiful place and made it his.

Once a month, he would come here to sit and contemplate his life and his problems. He knew enough to come by a different path each time so that others could not follow and find this place. He understood the sanctity of the place and the need to maintain the holiness of the environment.

In the ‘other world’ the young man was playing at stocks. He got to step on people and take money from others and destroy individuals. He made tons of money and was extremely good at what he did. He was very unhappy and miserable all the time. He could not find any happiness. None of his friends were very happy either.

Whenever he came to his hideaway, the world changed. He was happy and at peace. He found the cares of the world around him were gone and he was at peace with himself. His mind cleared and he could think much more logically. He began to meditate on his own, considering his life and the direction his was going. Soon he was coming to the place every two weeks.

One weekday, while on a lunch break, the man ventured into a small bookstore. While glancing around, he found a tiny book filled with stories called koans, life stories. They intrigued him so he bought the book. As he read the stories, he found they were confusing. They were philosophical but did not seem to provide any ending, no moral, no conclusion. They were riddles almost. The more you read one, the worse the riddle became.

Still, he kept the book around. The next time he went to the place, he took it with him. Here, he began to contemplate one of the koans as he mediated. Now he found he could concentrate better. Clarity was enhanced. Still the story was confusing and he failed to grasp it fully.

Many months passed. Now he was coming to the place weekly. Still he contemplated the koan and still he was unsuccessful in ‘solving’ it. Still, he continued to study the story and to think upon it.

One week, as he approached the pond, he found an older man sitting, waiting for him. Puzzled, he approached. The older man spoke first, “I’ve awaited you. Please enlighten me as to what you have learned.”

Though finding this odd, he did respond, “I have been mediating and studying a story. However, I fail to grasp the meaning of the …” Just then the older man interrupted, reached out, and hit the other one in the forehead with his open hand, very hard. In so doing, the younger man suddenly understood what he had failed to grasp in the story and he was enlightened.

They both remained.

Wilderness

To be in the wilderness
Is to find oneself immersed
In the depth of world
In the height of nature
Yet to be set free of restraint

A Pond

A pond in the summer,
So quiet and silent.
It opens a path
That can be followed.
How can anyone state it?

Freedom

Unless one frees oneself
Of the nest of common thought
And prevailing ideas; then
One is caught in the mundane.
Freedom is a singular path.

Finding Our Way

When the light is seen
The darkness vanishes
Confusion goes away
When wisdom does arise
This is how we find our way
On the path of life

Wind and Rain

When the wind blows
The grass bends
The leaves fall
The water ripples.

When the rain falls
The rivers run
The lakes flow
The oceans rise

When they don't
They don't
Yin yang

Knowledge

The past is found in the present.
The present belongs to the future.
The future shall never come along.
That is all you need to know.

The Stones

There was this crystal clear pond, without a ripple on it. Alongside the pond sat a small boy. Next to the boy was a large pile of flat stones which the boy was using for water skipping. Got the image in your mind - good, it has not value in this story.

Along the road came a man, a very angry mean man. He kicked a dog he encountered. He poked a cow, he jabbed a goat; you get the picture. He just was not a nice person. Anyway, along the road he walked and eventually he came near the pond (remember the pond) and he tripped. Now he began to swear. And he swore 'til the birds fly away and the pond gets ruffled. That's a lot of swearing.

The boy (ok, so he did matter to the story) became agitated by the man and he asked the man, politely, to stop the cussing. The man simply swore at him too. So the boy responded as any young boy would.

He hit him dead in the forehead with one of the stones.

Mundane

When one thinks the mundane
Contains nothing sacred
That one has failed
To understand the truth
Within sacredness itself
Nothing is mundane

River Ride

Riding down the river
On a raft of wood
Sailing around bends
Drifting in the current
The way just opens up

Already

Waiting to take the first step
You have already arrived
Before you have uttered a word
The greatest truth is spoken

I am You

I am you and you are me
Yet I cannot be you
And you cannot be me
There is no coming and going
And there is no arising
No life force will appear
And none will be practiced

I Stood

I stood upon the precipice
And gazed down from above
I saw my life laid before me
Crushed upon the rocks below

Rain

Drops of water drip upon my face, forming tiny streams of moisture running down the skin. They puddle and merge and run on downward,growing larger as more streams merge. They race for my neck and surge into the collar of my shirt, misting the fabric. While at the same time, droplets splash upon the shirt, wetting it and soaking the material thoroughly. I stand there in the rain enjoying every moment of the experience.

The Failure

The young phoenix arose to view Columbus sail into the islands. He saw him enslave the the natives and kill many who opposed him. He moved north to the main land. He witnessed the colonization of the American continent. He saw the coming of the western migration and the death of the native population. He viewed the railroads and taking of land. He witnessed civil war and industrialization. He saw the two world wars and epidemic diseases spread. He witnessed greed and poverty, war and destruction.

Soon his 500 years were done and he prepared his pyre. He was sad. The phoenix had learned much in 500 years. However, a phoenix was suppose to learn values and ethics and morality. This one had not. He had lived in America for 500 years. He would step into the fire, be consumed and die, and he would not re-emerge. He had failed.

Comes the Day

The morning dew glistens off
The tops of a thousand graves
All lighting up the day

Learning

Learning to talk
Easy
Learning to see
Hard
To speak with wisdom
Not a babe's trick
To see with knowledge
Not a blind man's way

Reason to Live

Driven to despair
Nowhere to turn
Turn upon yourself
And attempt the end
The answer's not there
Find the place of calm
Escape the turmoil
Life is not that bad
It is just for you
Not for everyone
That you need to live

Body and Mind

The mind is better mastered than the body
A mind at peace provides for a body untroubled
When both have drifted away, body and mind
Then the self can accept all things home

Poor People's Rights

Everywhere there are feet stomping
People in the street fighting
What can those poor people do
Except to fight for their rights
The time may be right for violence
But the poor get no support
And the rich all close ranks
Cause it's better to save money
Than to stand with what's right
So what can those poor people do
Except to fight for what's right

Differences

Everything may be real
Each and every person true
But a distance exists 'tween
Real, true and perfect and complete

Who Cares Then

When people stand up to their government with proper grievances and protest and attempt to overthrow or even have those grievances addressed, it puzzles me why the whole world's boy stands by idly watching, in tactile support of the "legitimate" government, while giving minor lip service to the 'horror' of the debacle unfolding before them. Then when the government has crushed the uprising and reestablished the control it has had, then the world comes out and expresses its' outrage. Who cares then?

Atonement

The man doubles his fist in anger
Neither yin nor yang exists then
He stands alone in his judgment
For his action cannot be atoned

Power of Will

A man comes to the shore of the ocean. he owns no ship or boat and he has no means to cross the ocean, yet 2 days later he is seen walking on the far side of the ocean, along the beach. The person who spots him is a friend from the two they both come from and so he asks the man how he arrived so quickly, as he did not see him on his plane flight. the man smiled and said it was just an act of will. they spent several pleasant days together and when it was time to return home, the one went to the airport and the other to the ocean shore. Once again, two days later, in their home town, they met. Thoroughly amazed, the friend again inquired as to how the man got home. the man again mention the strength of will.

Some days later, the friend encountered the man's daughter and mentioned the trip and running into the daughter's father. The girl laughed and said he must be dreaming. Her father had been in bed with a broken leg the past ten days and had never left the house. Other then eating and sleeping, all he had done was meditate.

Understanding

If you want to understand life
Look to the autumn
Search the leaves as they fall
Feel the wind blow
Then you know life as it is

Man

If you cannot free yourself
So that habits rule you
How can you ever release
What is the true inner self
When the man is ruled by parts
Instead of the parts ruled
By the true and complete man

George

George was an imperfect man. He drank heavy and he liked to play cards and he was a pool shark. George had operated an illegal bar and had a private still and probably done other things too.

George grew up fast. When he was twelve, he left home and started his adult life. He worked from then until he was sixty-five, fifty-three years. He worked through a depression, when no one worked, he worked at different jobs, but he worked. He was a butcher, a grocer, a factory worker, an inspector, a barkeeper, a speakeasy owner, and through all the years, he earned a living. His family survived and he put food on the table and a roof over their heads. They were educated and brought up with values.

George had time for people. He could make you laugh and he could teach you. In my own case, he spent a lot of time teaching me. There were little lessons, but the important lessons he taught me were how to be myself. He knew more about being true to yourself then anyone I ever meet. He explained the importance of honesty, both to others and to self. He was Buddha and never knew it.

George is gone along time now, but I think of him often. He was my friend. He may have been imperfect, but George was the most perfect man I ever meet in my life. I treasure every day I ever spent with the man.

Clouds

The clouds roll in
Layer upon layer
Three layers high
Stacking so high
The sky is filled
And the air is gone
Soon the storm arrives
Flashing and crashing
Booms and blinks alight
The excitement delights
Still the clouds dominate

Never Irritate III

As our story opens, we find our friend sitting outside his cave munching on a couple hind quarters, carrying on a conversation with his dear friend, the sister of the departed SRR. His friend, whose name was Sue, as it turned out, was bringing him up to date on local events. She also helped, well sort of, prepare the two hind quarters for her friend (schmucks).

As they conversed, a salesman wandered up the path and stopped near them. Sue said, “Go away.” But of course, he didn’t.

Our good friend also encouraged departure by frowning, leering, and growling, but the salesman, like his breed, just stood his ground. “Good afternoon,” he exclaimed, “and it is a lovely day indeed. May I have a few moments of your time?” Of course, he didn’t really care if they wanted to provide a few moments or not, which they most certainly did not. So with the formalities out of the way, he immediately launched into his pitch.

Sue tried once more to dissuade the obnoxious man from irritating her friend, which, as we know tends to fire him up a bit. However, he would not be put aside and continued on. In fact, he dismissed Sue by saying, “Missy, why don’t you just go sit your pretty little behind down over yonder and we men will be with you by and by. Don’t worry; we’ll take care of you if you’re good – we’ll take real good care, won’t we brother.”

Feeling the campfire suddenly being built anew, the salesman turned his attention back to the other participant. Our friend had developed a strange glint in his eye, a narrowing of the orb shall we also point out. Glancing at Sue, he said while ignoring the salesman for a moment, “I have been most impolite. What kind of host am I? Here I have sat eating hind quarters ‘til I nearly burst [though who’d a thought middle age meat would be that tender?]. Let me prepare you a delicious order of ribs.”

Sue laughed, most heartily, quickly agreed to this, saying “I don’t think I’ve ever had your ribs prepared for me. I am so looking forward to this. I can feel the fire arising before me right now.”

The salesman, listening to the request, and not to be ignored any longer, burst in and said, “You know, I like my ribs as well as the next guy. Why should she enjoy them and not me?”

Our friend agreed and acquiesced to his request.

The Cave Dweller

The other day, our two friends were together, when the one who lived in the cave announced to the one who was visiting that, as they were sitting upon the edge of a sheer cliff, with no path, no climbing equipment, no food sources, and having no means to either have gained entry to the cave, the cliff, or continued nourishment, therefore, they did not exist.

Having realized the truth of the statement the visitor quit speaking to the cave dweller, as he realized he did not exist. The cave dweller, having nothing more to add, knowing he too was non-existent, arose and returned to the cave. Silence reigned over the cliff.

Morning arose and the cave dweller with it. His routine was unbroken and he came to the cliff’s edge once again to receive the dawn. The visitor still sat as he was, on the edge staring off into the skies. The sun rose slowly across the forest below, dazzling the two men with the beauty. It rose higher until it fill the cliff face and the cave with light.

Reaching this juncture, the dweller stood and returned to his daily routine. The visitor continued to sit. The day progressed like any other and dusk soon came. The dweller now returned to the edge to join his comrade. The shadows were spreading across the fields and trees below, enveloping all in darkness. As it grew dark, the cave dweller thought about his non-existence.

How is it, if I do not exist, I feel the sun’s rays? Why do I think and perform tasks? Why did I form rational thought and give a view to my friend here?

At that moment the visitor disappear by tumbling over the side of the cliff, free-falling down the side of the cliff, to his sure death. Why do I feel nothing about my friend’s actions? And why do I now want to return to the cave because it is dark?

The next morning, the cave dweller rose from his bed and left the cave to view the rising sun. Exiting the cave, he found the visitor once more on the edge of the cliff, awaiting him. When he sat down, the visitor said, “You know, you were wrong about that non-existent thing. We do exist. I tested your theory and, though I don’t recommend the method, the results were conclusive. You’re wrong.”

The Path

Throw the dice
One side up
One side down
Luck of the draw
Live your life
If that's the choice
You're a fool too
Make a choice and
Don't follow luck
Wisdom is the path

The True Path

There is one path with no gates
All other paths lead to this one
When you find yourself there
And realize there are no gates
You have found heaven and earth

Spring

Grass blades bend with the wind
The closer you try to get
The further away you become
Spring comes when it wants
There's nothing you can do
When it's here, it truly is

Eyes and Ears

When looking for majestic ranges
Or the beauty of a rushing stream
One cannot gaze into a mirror
Wild geese and ducks still sound
But don't look to hear them in the city

Rain

Pouring down upon the road
Running off the roofs
Water piling up everywhere
Yet no one stops to admire
Nature's beauty is around
But we rush through the day
We cuss and fuss and fume
Wishing it would go away
Please stay yet this day

An Interruption

You're walking down a road and you encounter a number of people. The first is a pleasant man who, during the course of conversation, you discover, is a poet laureate. In respect to his interests, you compose a poem on the spot and offer it to him. You part and continue to walk. soon you met a young woman. She begins to speak with you and you learn she is a famous fencing instructor. Amazed because you have just purchased a sword yourself, you offer your weapon to her to have her demonstrate her skills. Grateful for the respect shown, she takes the weapon and dances a round, dazzling you with her footwork. retrieving your possession, you move on only to now encounter another gentleman. This individual is a NRA gun collector. Talking to him, you find out he is a racist obnoxious man with anti-society beliefs. He pulls out a large hand gun. He tells you this is a fully loaded and primed 45 caliber automatic and will blow a hole through a barn. Impressed, you ask if you might see the gun a moment. He agrees and passes it over. You ask if the safety is on or off. The man checks and clicks the safety off and points it out to you. As he does, you bring the gun up in your gloved hand and blow his head off. Thinking, he was right about the hole in the barn analogy, you toss the gun by the body and continue your pleasant stroll.

Think Right

Simple questions beget simple answers.
There are many more grains of sand,
Then there are cells in your brain.
Think of the beach and the sand,
Not of yourself and your mind.

Engaged

The wind blows gently
Stirring the flag lightly
The mind moves slowly
In the same manner politely
But when your mouth open
All things go wrong

World of Terror

Light the match
Watch the flame
Set the wood ablaze
Embers fly high
Yellow turns blue
Climb upon the pyre
Arise from it anew
All mighty phoenix
Look at the world
You will reenter
Maybe then the cycle
Will be broken finally
And you'll reenter
The world of flame forever

Never Irritate II

You remember our friend who lived in the cave up the path from the former village. You know, the vegetarian who found out he really did like standing rib roast. Well since his last visitors, he had been left alone, pretty much. The sister of SRR, as he had come to be known, still, on occasion, came to visit. She was one of those rare individuals who had figured it out that irritating the cave dweller just was a bad idea for those involved.

Well, one day a group of five stiff backs, better known as businessmen, came parading up the hillside to the cave entrance. They called out the occupant. When they received no response, they tried again, and again and again. Eventually, our friend emerged, sullen and definitely not in the best of moods. He appeared to have a sour stomach, as he kept burping or belching up small flames. Probably he had eaten a Mexican dinner recently.

Anyway, the head of the group announced that they wanted to do a documentary film about the dying breed of which our friend was supposedly a member. "No thanks." replied the cave dweller.

Not to be put off easily, the businessmen offered incentives and inducements to sweeten the offer. Still the sullen animal was uninterested. He asked, very nicely I might note, for the visitors to leave. Of course, they choose not to. When they persisted, he insisted. The stand-off continued.

Finally, the occupant said to his annoying visitors, "I recently ended my vegetarian ways and became a meat eater. Of course, this may not be relevant to this conversation, but suddenly, I am very hungry. I have never had rump roast. Now at my size, it will take several orders to fill me, say about five. I think I'll eat now."

So he did.

Learning

If I heard a hundred different sounds,
They would pale along one good sight.
If I sat through dozens of lessons,
But learned only one great truth,
Then I would be a truly learned man.

The Right Path

A young boy was walking down a path. He came to a fork in the path. The fork to the left lead up the mountain and was a steep walk. The fork to the right was a gentle decline into the valley below. The boy, who was very spoiled, choose to go to the right.

After a little while he encountered a fox. The fox stopped in front of him and spoke to him. By the way, if you have not yet made this determination, the area is magical, to some extent, as all animals are able to talk and interact with humans, though why is indeterminable. Any way, the fox did speak and he said to the young boy, "Hello there. I am very hungry. Give me all your food. If you don't, I will be most upset."

The boy replied, "I am not inclined to do so. Please step aside."

The fox then responded, "If you do not do as I ask I will eat you instead. I know your mother probably made your lunch and she will replace your loss easily, so what is the big deal anyway?"

Well, the boy thought about this for a moment and saw the logic of the fox's words and so he agreed and turned over his food to the fox and the two of them parted company. The boy proceeded down the path into the valley. Eventually he met a bear. The bear held up a paw to stop the boy. When both had stopped walking the bear looked at the boy, who was wearing a lovely necklace, a gift from his father. The bear said, "I greatly admire your necklace, but I do believe it would look better on me then on you. Give it here or I'll rip your head off and take it any way."

Now the boy immediately understand the situation and the logic here. He knew his father would easily replace the necklace, so he handed it over quickly without discussion. Laughing the bear strolled away. Shook up a bit but unharmed, the boy began walking again. Next he ran into a wolf. Now we all know about wolves and the boy was scared as soon as he spotted the animal approaching. Before the wolf even spoke, the boy shouted out, "The fox and the bear have already taken my food and jewelry. All I have left are my clothes, Here, take them." With that, he ripped his clothes off and threw them at the wolf."

The wolf stared at the boy and the pile of clothes for a moment. Then he said, "All I wanted was to ask if you knew the way to the mountain. However, I'll take your clothes because you are foolish and deserve to be taught a lesson." With that the wolf left.

Here the boy stood, naked, with his jewelry, and with no food to eat; all because he choose the path to the right, the easy path. That is the problem for most people, they choose the path of least resistance; the one where they have to work the smallest amount. In the end, they have nothing but their own embarrassment to show for their efforts and they are living off the handouts of others and are being taken advantage of.

The light has not pierced the void.
That which is distant seems close.
That which is close seems distant.
Those who are lost are not yet found.

Trouble

There are three ways to know you are in trouble:

1. You are in prison and are told they intend to place all your extremities in restraints, but they have made no provisions for your head.

2. You are holding up a door and frame of your house, but the house in falling down upon you.

3. You live in a world that does not allow you to meditate upon your existence.

My Life

Good news, bad news, it's all the same.
They say like you want to hear it,
But the truth is they can keep it.
Cheerfulness, sadness, don't need it.
Live my life my way, leave me alone.

Art

I hear the song the bird sings
I feel the warmth of the sun
I am amazed by the willows
I get bumps from the gentle wind
What can an artist draw that
Could ever touch this world?

Real

She came to me when she was young
'Cause she knew who I was, safe;
But I showed her, we fell in love.
Now I come to her when she's not young
'Cause I know who she is, mine;
But she shows me, we still are in love.

Commentary

When we were young, we fought and died in the streets.
And I said my good-byes.
Later we were older, we went to war and fought for Sam.
And I said my good-byes.
Then some were killed and bought back in bags.
And I said my good-byes.
After that, we sat around and we got high somewhat.
And I said my good-byes.
But we just had to take it much too far it seemed.
And I said my good-byes.
Now we grew so very much older and our friends were still dying.
And I said my good-byes.
I got so very tired of this merry-go round.
Why did I keep having to say good-bye.

My Home

Turn the lights out
I've left my home
Pick up the rugs
There's no walking here
Drag the chairs away
You don't want to sit
Michigan died seven years ago today.

The Most

He was the most ferocious,
But he had no fangs and claws.
He roared all the loudest,
Yet he lacked a backbone.
When it came to leadership
He was dimwitted indeed.

Variation on a Theme

The one who has gain knowledge
He is one of the family;
But the one who has failed,
He is no one but a stranger.
When several have understanding,
They too are then strangers.
However they have lack learning,
Are at once our brothers.

Thank you son

He walked into the town square. He asked the woman selling plates. She could not help him. He went to the wise man selling potions. He then asked him his question. This man could not help him. Then he ventured to the temple. he sought out the monk who had been there many years. Again he asked of the monk the same question. The monk carefully listened, shook his head, and turned him away. He started for home. On the way, he ran into his son. Son, he said, "I have asked everyone I have met today, what is true love? No one knows the answer."

His son looked at his father and said, "That is because they have never understood the love of a father and a son." His father smiled and they went home together.

Another Day

Sixty thoughts have passed my mind
Sixty steps have crossed my path
Sixty notes were waiting for me
Sixty people wished me well
What the hell does it mean?

Two Thieves

When you are taught that fire is light
Question the wisdom of the thought
For when two men meet in the night
They know each other on sight
No introduction, in intersection
And certainly, no invitation.

Walking

Open path winding long
Turning left, wooded path
Winding right, round a bend
Cross a stream, thru a vale
In the end, going nowhere
Beautiful day for a walk

Intuition

Before the first step is taken
Man has set his life's path.
Before the first word is spoken
The entire speech is said.
You need more than intuition
To find the correct way.

The Staffs

I came upon you. You already had a staff you were using. So I gave you another. Some time later I encountered you and you had no staff. So I removed mine.

Humble

Following along behind
Listening to the praise
Always second best
Never to be first place
Yet there was love
Humility’s a bitch

Pretty as a Picture

Pretty as a picture
Just about as real
All the little pieces
Fit together well
Substance and form
Really just a shame
Pretty little picture
Faded just the same

Illusionary

Dancing illusions
Merry thoughts
How I wish for such
Dark shadows
Weary conclusions
And then I awake

The Summons

The Zen master sat in the front of the temple. He rang a bell and summoned his student. When the student appeared before him, he bowed and dismissed him. Three more times he rang the bell and three more times he bowed and dismissed the student as soon as he appeared before him. Then he summoned him yet again.

This time, when the student appeared, the master said, “I had always thought I had been here with my back always to you. Instead now I find myself standing with you, all alone, with your back to me.”

Looking

Looking out the window
There’s rain in the trees
Near the river, I can see
The willow dancing in the breeze
These lessons are always there
I’ve heard them over again
Have you ever listened?

A Mind

Push me no more my friend
I like not the pressure
Hassle me like you're doing
I'll snap you like a twig
I have no weapons, no fists
I choose to destroy you
With that which you lack
A mind

Weep No More

Weep no more
The loss is beyond you
Hold your tears
The world will still be
You still care even when others
Care not for their selves

Both Sides

Sound and form
Function and device
Can’t get around them
Cannot get through them
Mountains and lakes are real
And are not just in mirrors
With one side bright
One side dark
Yet both can be surpassed

Life

On the outside
Rain in the trees
Leaves in the air
Dancing by the river
Blades of grass stir
Water of the edge
Life is vibrant
Feel it in your mind
Hear it with your skin

Universal Light

The universe has a shining light
That exists right now.
You would be blinded by the light
If you truly saw it.

The Only Place

To be liberated
Turn to the universe.
Open your eyes.
Can't you see?
It's the only place
For your huge self.

Clear

There's a mist to clear
Then the moon can shine
The truth is also clear
It always has been
Perfect and clear
Some can see
Others are blind

Hail

The fire rages
The flames leap high
The wood's consumed
The ash cools
From the debris
Arises the new
Majestic new birth
Hail the cycle

Illusions

Dancing illusions
Merry thoughts
How I wish for.
Dark shadows
Weary conclusions
And then I wake.

Inquisitive Child

Lucy was an in inquisitive child. She liked to watch the shopkeepers open their shops each morning and close them each evening. She watched the butcher cut his meat up and place it in the cases. She watched the jeweler set the fine jewelry out each day. She visited the dress shops and the linen shop and the hosiery shop. She knew everyone's name and spoke to each of the adults she met each and every day.

One day, she did not show up for her visits. She was not there when the shops opened in the morning and she was not there when they closed at the end of the day. She did not go see the jeweler set out his jewelry and she failed to watch the butcher as he cut up all of his meat and set it in his cases. She failed to visit the linen shop and she never appeared at the hosiery shop or at any of the other shops she normally stopped at each and every day. She spoke to none of the adults she would have spoke to each day. No one noticed.

Rolling Downhill

At first just a pebble, rolling along the ground. Then as it picks up speed, and the slope of the land gradually turns downward, bits of moss and dirt begin to cling to it. Soon it enlarges. The ground continues to slope downhill, the gradient more severe, the speed of the roll becoming faster with the decline. The pebble now has become the size of a large rock and still it rolls ever onward. Once it started downhill, nothing was going to stop it short of a large barrier. The rock has become a boulder, racing down the slope crushing all in its path. Grass, dirt, small bushes, all are caught in the tumble and become part. Only the bottom will stop the fall.

You Talked

You talked 'til you shook.
You talked 'til you grayed.
You talked 'til you wrinkled.
You talked 'til you thinned.
Now sit and ponder,
All the wasted talk
You spent on unmindful words.

The Warning

The warning was given;
Care was taken.
No one listened;
Nobody cared.
The result was expected;
Care was denied.
No one was worried;
Nobody cried.

Seeking

Sitting in a darkened room
Silence all around me
My breathing slowing down
Tranquility seeking, found.

In the End

The earth may blow up
And the universe implode.
That which is inconceivable,
The one clear bright mind
Cannot be destroyed.

Meaning

Eye to eye
Confirmation is made
Mouth to ear
Meaning is lost
Ear to mouth
Meaning is renewed

Where Am I?

I arrived!
There was no home.
I departed!
I had no goal.
In the end,
How could this be?
I've been here all along.

A Lesson

The present teaches the past
The future is found in the present

Rain and Sun

From time to time rain falls.
On occasion the ground moistens.
Afterward the clouds part,
And then the sun will emerge.
In the garden of forever spring,
There is no room for this and that.

Free Thought

We put forth the thought
And we argue our position,
But soon reason gives way
And words are no longer used,
As ideas are soon forgotten.
It is when the fruit is ripe
That it falls freely to earth.

Sight and Sound

When standing on the mountain
The body of truth is encountered
Open to the ear to be seen.
When resting in the valley
The sound of teachings echo
And only the eye can hear.

Rings

I looked at the surface of the water; it was a sheet of glass. Then a ripple appeared and a ring was formed, spreading outward. I watched it, not knowing where it would end. Soon another ring formed and it followed the first. Now I had two to follow. The first was frightening, it had no boundary, it was infinitive in nature, it could continue into the abyss. The second was finite; it was contained within the first and had perimeters. By now a third and fourth ring had joined the other two. There were tame in comparison. Each corralled more closely by more narrow boundaries, its' world held in closer check. Each a safer environment than those outer rings and so I watched. Each ring spread outward, slowly dissipating until, in turn, each began to disappear. Now I longed for them, but I feared it was not the inner ones that I really missed.

Never Irritate

"I am very surprised to see one of your kind up here near my lair. Usually your type fears me and spends your time spreading vicious lies and rumors about me and my relatives. Oh, I've heard those stories; we're all mad killers, ravishers, preying upon the weak and vulnerable."

"Well, now please, let's not get all worked up and in a huff. I was sent up here to speak with you in good faith. And what with your tendency to eat other species and the destruction of the village below, you have to admit, there is cause for concern. Why, I understand you personally devoured each and every young person around these parts, as he or she reached puberty, and you were particularly fond of the young maidens."

"Now that is exactly what I have been talking about. False stories like that just irk me. I am not a carnivore. I am a vegetarian. I have never desired the meat of any species not do I crave any now. However, give me a young sycamore, mixed with a few lilacs and a side of strawberry bushes, and I am one happy being. It just burns me to hear those lies tossed around about what I supposedly have done to your kind. I am not a mean-spirited being."

"I am certainly pleased to hear this report from you. However, just to be on the safe side, I did thrust up my little sister, the annoying young mouthy thing that she is, and I have her tied to a pole stuck in the ground right over there to the left of you, just in case you might get hungry and want a snack while we're talking. You know, I've kept up on all the legends about your deep desires for young innocent virgin girls and I do want you to be happy while you're staying here in our neighborhood."

"You are not paying attention at all, and you are also really irritating me. I told you, I am a vegetarian. I do not have any desire for meat. I truly do not comprehend the simple-minded nature of your species. How, even if I was a being that craved meat, do you get to this young innocent virgin female sexual nonsense? If I wanted meat as a beast, I would surely take meat, period. Well, I might differentiate between young fresh tender meat and old tough stringy meat, but beyond that, why bother? And as for our younger sister you brought me as a sacrifice, my very acute senses indicate to me, checking both you and her out - one, she's no virgin, and two, as far as innocent, you're closer to that status than she is."

"Well, I'll just be cutting sis loose here and... hey, there no reason to be slapping me sis. I let you go. Damn, some people just don't know when to be grateful. Anyway, we'll be going now. Sorry to bother you. If you ever want another sacrifice, let me know and I'll bring a couple girls up for you; no problem."

As he walked down the path, away from the lair, he was immediately engulfed in a searing flame which brought him to a halt, and a well-done status. The sister, further down the path, stopped to watch, expressionless. The flame withdrew and the beast approached the still standing man.

"You really irritated me. I said I do not desire meat. I did not say I would not ever try it. I often wondered what a standing rib roast would taste like."

The Edger

I was in the yard one day, edging the lawn. A man, who was walking by on the sidewalk, stopped and asked me directions to New Haven.

I stopped my work, indicated the edger I was using, and said, "When I purchased this edger, it only cost me $10."

The man replied, "I am not interested in the cost of the edger, or the savings you received when you purchased it. I asked if you knew the way to New Haven."

I looked at him, smiling and said, "I truly enjoy this edger."

Unwanted Praise

I do not need to hear the words
For the words have lost meaning
I live to do each day what I do
Not to earn from others envy
Praise does not give me health
It brings not extended life
My life is mine to live for me

All Around

Rivers wind, flowing on
Mountains rise, soaring up
Roads seem to go forever.
The deeper you explore
The greater the wonders.

Completeness

Nothing falls short
As all manage to reach
Their own completeness
Where ever you take your stand
There you will manage to cover

Closed Mind, Open Lake

The wife came upon her husband standing next to the lake. He was dropping grains of sand into the lake, one grain at a time. When she saw what he was doing, she asked him why he was doing such a foolish thing. He told her he was filling the lake in.

"You will never fill the lake in, dropping one grain of sand into the water at a time." His wife explained to him.

"And you will never understand what I say to you as long as you let my words trickle into your mind, one word at a time. However, if that is the way you wish to be, that is how I am going to live also."

Interference

Stay out of another's battles
Never borrow what your friend needs
Don't gossip about his shortcomings
Cause not his work to be undone

Before

Before you ask
The answer's known.
Before you've walked
You're already home.

The Dust Arose

As I walked, the dust arose. I contemplated where I had been; the places I had seen and the events I had witnessed. I remembered the fears. I recalled the sorrows. I pushed away the anger and the heartache. The dust continued to arise around me. Within I saw another side. I viewed the shadows; where I retreated to find peace, to seek solitude. It was a place of comfort. Now I realized I was no longer walking in the dark places. I was strolling in the light and the calm was upon me. The dust arose and I had found myself.

In the Mist

Passing through the mist
Seeking some calming essence
And yet I do not wish to leave
As I find comfort in the fog.
The dampness cools my skin
And the air tickles my senses
Yet I want even more of it.
So I throw my head back and
I scream, rippling the wind
Stirring the mist, scaring
Those who cannot penetrate
The depths of my vapor.

Pain

The enemy assails me
My defenses do waver
Though they have held
Against the foe so far
My enemy is strong
Relentless in purpose
I know not how long
My defenses may stand
I can feel the weakness
As I start to give way
I see the retreat begin
I dig in, holding on
I need to hold out still
Oh you are formidable
My ever constant foe

Zen master

The Zen master was asked, "What do you think about when you are meditating?"

He replied, "I think about not thinking."

"How do you think about not thinking?"

He responded, "Not thinking."

He thought too much. He was no Zen master.

Parent and Child

Parent and child become each other
The spring becomes the summer
The leaves fall to the ground
The snow melts into the streams
The parent grow older
The child becomes the parent
Parent and child become each other

Shadowed Wolfe

Coiled power springing upon the world, he emerged onto the sphere. From the start, he fought with inner dimensions, the clenched thoughts waiting for release. In small thrushes and tiny incursions he made his way known, attempted to demonstrate the power and, when it was shown, it was awesome. As he grew, he drifted from the pack, for he found he did not need them. His talents lay within, he was a lone one, seeking always the shadows, looking forever for his own path, wandering the woods for his own path. The words lead him and they were good. They came more frequently and in abundance. As he neared full strength, his tales were power, and others learned to acknowledge that.

Sound and Sight

To see form is personal
To hear sound, intimate
The whole body and mind
Join in seeing and hearing
There is no illusion
As reflections in mirrors
No false resoundings
Like echoes in canyons

The Past

If you stick in the past
And you're bound in cliches
You'll find yourself in vines,
Or in thorns, entangled by life.
The mists and fogs cause many
To have never found the source.

Lacking

How could you have asked?
You did not know anything.
Why did you offer answers?
I know you lack understanding.
A night’s wind blows cold,
A pine may keep all its’ needles,
But yet may freeze on a hill.

The Aunt

An elderly aunt came to visit. As she did not travel much any more, it was a joy to the relatives that she had come to see them. Many came from varying distances just for the opportunity to converse with her. A large re union and party was planned for the weekend so that everyone would have a chance to see one another and to visit with the elderly aunt. The day of the party, the aunt announced that she was not feeling well and that she would not attend the party. She insisted the family and all the relatives go ahead with their plans without her. She would sit by the window in the rocker and watch the park where the party was going on.

During the afternoon, one of her great-grand-nephews entered the house and sought her out. He was only nine years old and did not understand why she nice elderly lady wanted to stay inside when everyone else was in the park having a good time. He walked over to her chair and touched her arm. She looked down at him and smiled at him. “Whatever can I do for you, sweetheart?”

“Why don’t you want to come to the party? All my brothers and sisters, and my cousins, and my parents, and my aunts and uncles are there. Even my grandparents came. It is suppose to be for a really nice old lady, but I don’t know her name.”

His aunt smiled at him again and told him, “I am the nice old lady, but I am very, very tired. However, let me tell you a secret of mine. I learned a long time ago that I could sit in a quiet place and think about people I love or places I like and, just like magic, I’m there and I’m with those people. And today is one of those days. So, even though I am very tired and I cannot go out there with all those people, I am really with them right now and I am having a great time, probably one of best I’ve ever had.”

Her young nephew reached up and gave her a hug and told her to have a good time and to enjoy the party. He then walked out of the room, smiling, just like his great-grand-aunt. As he left, she said aloud to herself, “And you just made it better.”

Rain

Run inside, it's raining.
Might get wet, it's pouring.
I love the rain, I'm safe.
It darkens the day, I'll hide.
People don't stop, won't ask.
I'm alone, feels so alive.
Rains shares, its' my shelter.

Understanding

I once ran into a young man I named Curious. I told him that every time I saw him someone asked him a question and, instead of giving an single direct answer, he gave ten responses to the question. I said, "Isn't this so?"

He turned his head from me and mumbled, "No, I don't think so." I laughed at this and he walked away.

Soon after, due to this he moved away and became a sheep farmer. About four years later, I was traveling and I came to the farm I heard he had moved to, so I stopped to see him. I walked out into the field and, instead of finding him watching the flock, I observed him sitting under a tree, meditating.

I walked up behind him and cracked him in between the shoulders with a stick. He looked over his shoulder at me, immediately recognizing me. I asked him, "Are you still talking too much, giving too many answers to questions being asked you? Well, is that still so?"

"I no longer have so many words to use, nor do I have the need to answer your question."

I smiled, for now he understood.

Controlling Your Destiny

This is the story of Nobunaga, a legendary Japanese warrior. As the story goes, he was leading a force into battle against an enemy that was many times the size of his force; legend holds that his enemy fielded ten times the men he did. His followers were convinced they were marching to their death that day. Nobunaga believed in his cause, his men, and, most importantly, his destiny, and therefore, he believed he would win the day.

As they approached the battlefield, he had the army stop at a temple. He announced that he would enter the temple and pray for victory. When he emerged, he would flip a coin in the air for luck and to decide the outcome. If the coin came up heads, they would surely win the day. If it turned up tails, it meant they were destined to lose and he would lead the men away from the forewarned defeat. His men agreed to this.

Nobunaga entered the temple and prayed for a long time. When he emerged, he pulled a coin from his pocket and tossed it high in the air. It flipped and turned many times, but when it landed, it had come up heads. The soldiers all cheered and followed Nobunaga into battle where they easily defeated the overwhelming odds and routed the enemy from the field.

Later, after the battle, an aide questioning Nobunaga about his strategy, remarking that he had taken a big chance tossing the coin, as it could have just as easily came up tails. Nobunaga replied, "Man controls his own destiny, regardless of the circumstances or the odds. All he needs to do is keep going." With that he pulled the coin from his pocket and tossed the doubled headed disc to his aide as he walked away.

Philosophy

There was a great philosopher. In his lifetime, he had been employed to teach at four renowned universities and he had received many rewards and accolades. One day he simply disappeared and was not seen again for five years.

A student, out for a walk one day, encountered a grubby beggar sitting on the side of the road and recognized him as the famous philosopher. He had always been very much taken by the writings of this great thinker so he stopped and pleaded with him to be taught by him. The philosopher turned beggar told him, "If you can do what I do for three days, I will teach you." Of course, the young man agreed.

For the next two days, as the philosopher who now begged for his existence sat at the side of the road, the young student sat beside him. When the older man begged, so did the young one. When the older one ate, then the young one ate. When the elder slept, the youth slept too. He did everything as the former philosopher did.

On the third day, as they sat, a fellow beggar, sitting near them became extremely ill, so much so that nearby shopkeepers finally called for help and an ambulance was summoned to the scene. While they waited for it to arrive. The old philosopher provided what help he could to his associate. When the medics arrived, the youth and the old man helped them load the gravely ill man into the ambulance and watched them drive away.

As the ambulance pulled away, the old man turned to the younger one and said, "Well, at least we won't have to beg today. Our friend left some food behind. We can eat that."

He then went over and began eating the food left behind by the ill beggar. the young student was appalled. He refused to join in the meal. The old philosopher remarked, "You agreed to do as I did for three days and then I would teach you. You have failed to live up to your end of the bargain. Go away."

Pride

Most covet their pride,
Having acquired it early.
Knowledge they learned
They're quick to set aside,
As if they're enlightened.

The Mirror

Few understand the question asked,
Fewer seize upon the real answer.
A mirror shows without a subject,
The image lacking reflection,
Yet it enlightens.

The tale

There were two professors teaching at a university. One was old, famous, and very wise. The other was much younger, had begun to build a reputation for himself, and was known as a spell-binding storyteller.

One day the older professor, Dr. Simmer, asked the younger one, Dr. Spring, if he could relate a story he had been told in his youth by his mother - it was an old life tale of a young boy who climbed a mountain. He explained he had been told it many times but had always fallen asleep during it as a youth and, now as an old man the memory had come back and he wish to hear a graceful telling of the full tale. Dr. Spring said he too had heard the tale as a youth, but he had not encountered the telling of it in many years and would have to study it before it could attempt telling it himself.

Sometime after that, Dr. Spring came back to Dr. Simmer and told him he had been preparing and he felt ready to relate the tale of the boy and the mountain, if Dr. Simmer wished to have it told. Dr. Simmer put him off, suggesting it was not a good time and that perhaps they could do it another day. So they parted and Dr. Spring continued to study and prepare his presentation, as he did with any story he wanted to tell others.

Several weeks later, he approached his older colleague again and made the offer to tell the story again. As before, the offer was rejected. This time it was because Dr. Simmer did not want to take the time necessary to listen to the complete rendering of the tale.

Finally after months of preparation and long after the initial request, the two men were together again. The conversation turned eventually to the ancient tale of the boy and the mountain. Dr. Simmer asked if Dr. Spring was fully prepared for the telling of the tale. Dr. Spring said he had studied the tale faithfully and knew it well. When asked if he was now ready to tell the tale, the younger man said he was and sat down with his friend and told the tale beautifully. They were both moved. They both had accomplished what they sought.

Life

Leaves emerge in the spring
Green and fresh with life.
They change and fade with fall
And the trees all turn bare.
Yet the pines remain steadfast.

Patterns

Eyes shut, you truly see.
Ears stopped, you finally hear.
Mind restrained, you actually think.

Eyes fully open, you see anew.
Ears focused, you hear more.
Mind open, now you can find thought.

Reflection

The mirror's before you
And your reflection shines
You can see it clearly,
But it is not you.

Observing

I look down upon him, watching him as he sits there. I observe his every motion, but he is seemingly unaware of me. He rises and I go with him. He moves across the room and out the door. We go into a large field, a field of wildflowers. Beyond us is a small river, rushing down to join a much larger river that joins a lake. He cannot see this, as I can. He stands and takes in the incredible scene of the meadow. I observe the large view from my vantage point. I can see much further than he. Soon he returns to the room and my observation must end. Perhaps another day. I am always here for him.

Senses

The wind blows across my skin but it does not warm me. I feel it as it brings my senses yo life, but it is just on the surface. I smell the flowers and my nasal passages enjoy the aromas, yet it does not enlighten my inner self. I hear the music of nature; however my ears cannot transmit the melody beyond my middle ears. I need something else; something that reaches me on a different level. My inner soul craves contact. My deepest senses are starving and yet I lack fodder for them. So I sit and I contemplate. My mind slowly clears itself and my thoughts pass from me and then I rise again, renewed.

Seeing

I look around me,
A clear sky I see.
I glaze above me,
The bright sun I see.
I look beside me,
Tall trees I do see.
I glaze below me,
The brambles poke me.
All these in their true place.

They Came

They came, as I knew they would. I had been waiting for them for quite some time actually. I had been anticipating this very event, you might sat. If you have experience life and you have learned anything, you eventually begin to know when certain things are going to happen. That is exactly what happened to me. This was just one of those things. I had mentioned it to some of my colleagues and even to a couple of my friends. Oh yes, I do have a couple of friends; not more than a couple, mind you. Most don't want to listen to me any more. Mr. Doom and Warning, they all call me. Boy, they'll all be listening to me now. But that will just have to wait, because I am going on vacation. I had planned it, and when you plan something, you just have to see it through.

Oh, and please just let them out when they have run out of steam.

The Canoe

The canoe that I'm floating in
Has no oars; safe from the din.
The current carries me,
By each bend it's free.
The wonders of the flow.

Don't Try

Within the dark, I have light
But in the light is not my dark.
I cannot glaze into your dark,
Nor can I view upon your light.
Don't try to understand mine.

When You See

There was a cook who liked to have everyone call him Chew. He met a man called Longtime. He became impressed with the knowledge Longtime imparted to his students as a teacher, so he asked him if he could study with him and learn from him. Longtime told him he would be happy to teach him would he knew if only Chew would instruct him how to cook. They quickly reached agreement and began their mutual studies.

Many months passed. Chew provided Longtime with lessons in the kitchen and Longtime learned easily how to prepare dishes in various styles. However, Chew did not feel he was receiving the same level of instruction in return. One day he approached Longtime with his concerns. He told him straight out he felt he was not receiving any instruction at all. Longtime seemed surprised by this. He replied, "I have been teaching you you ever since you arrived. Whenever you approach me, I bow to you. When I sit down, I allow you to either stand or sit at my right hand. I have always allowed you to be the one to serve me my tea each day."

Chew looked at him as if he were crazy. "Is this it?"

Longtime said, "When you see, you really see. If you have to think, then it has escaped you."

Blind

Where the light is, there is the darkness.
Where the dark is, you can find the light.
When you really notice,
It will make you blind.

The Dragon and The Pond

Once a honorable man heard a story about a nearby place. There was a dragon living by a pond and where this occurred, many gathered to witnessed this strange thing. He kept hearing of the dragon and the pond, and though, as an educated man, he had never believed in dragons, so many spoke of it, he decided he would go see this unusual occurrence himself.

when he reached the pond, he could not find any dragon. He did encounter a man and so he asked about the dragon who was suppose to live near the pond. The man said, "What silliness is this? A dragon is fire and terror. A pond is water and peace. How could you ever expect the two to coexist together?"

So the honorable man left the pond and went into a nearby town, where he entered a temple. There he met a monk. He told the monk the all about hearing of the dragon and the pond and coming to see if it was true. He mentioned his visit to the pond and finding no dragon. He described his encounter with the man and the remarks the man made to him. After listening patiently to his tale, the monk laughed lightly, and said to him, "Things in our world are just what they are. What belongs together comes together. What does not belong together is separated."

Now completely confused, the honorable man left the temple and the town and wandered back to the shore of the pond. It was now late in the evening. It was getting very dark. The only light was what was provided by the moon overhead. As he sat on the sand near the pond, he watched the moonlight glimmer on the pond's surface. Suddenly from somewhere behind him, in the dark shadows, he heard a voice speaking to him. "You look so sad sitting there. Why are you alone, sitting on the edge of this pond?"

"You startled me. I cannot see you in this darkness. Please step out where I can see you, so I know you mean me no harm"

Again the voice sounded from the dark, "Alas, it is probably best I remain where I am. I am hideous to view and I am afraid I might frighten you terribly. I have been consumed by flame. Allow me, please, to remain where I am, in the shadows. I assure you, I mean you no harm."

"If you must, I understand. I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. I, myself, sit here because I came today to experience the mysteries I have been hearing about of the dragon and this pond. However, when I arrived, I found there was no dragon and I had been fooled. As an honorable man, I should have known better. I encountered a man who mocked me for being here. I entered the town only to run into a monk who laughed at my misfortune. Now I have returned here. I had thought I might have a brief swim to clean myself and relax before heading home, but, like everything else today, even that was not to be. The water is much too cold to enter. It seems everything I attempted this day turned out differently then I thought it would."

I am sorry to hear of your unfortunate day. I cannot believe, knowing the people around here as well as I do, that anyone really would mock you or make fun of you for the beliefs you had. However, be that as it may, did you say the water was too cold for you? Here, just step back a bit; I'll warm it up for you."

Answers

People look for answers all the time,
Seeking to see the one true light
Or just a glance into the next world.
What they seek is in their hearts,
The words are in their minds,
For it's there eternal spring manifests.

The Carpenter

He was a finish carpenter and a cabinet maker. He was the very best at what he did. Every cut, every miter, every spindle was done with affection and it showed in his work. Yet he had no vanity. He just liked what he did. It was everyone else that saw the superiority of his work.

He had two young apprentices. He sought to teach them about his trade. Tim was, well, Tim was timid. He was shy and quiet and tried to hang back away from others. He did not speak unless he absolutely had to and he asked few questions. However, he never took his eyes off the master carpenter. He watched everything he did and he listened to every word he said. He absorbed his lessons like a sponge.

Bob was the other apprentice. He was nothing like Tim. Bob was the bold one. He was confident, full of himself and let everyone know he was on top of his game, all the time. He always caught onto things easily and seemed to be one step ahead of everyone, all his life. His work was excellent and he knew it. In contrast to Tim, he spoke freely and openly to the master, often interrupting the lessons, as he knew what was being taught even before the complete lesson was finished for him.

Tim worked each day at the side of the master carpenter, doing his tasks. He thought about the joy of the wood, the pleasure of the world around him, and how much he enjoyed being with this man who knew so much about a subject that thrilled him so completely. He could imagine no greater life.

Bob chaffed at the bit. He was ready to strike out on his own. He just needed the master carpenter to sign off on his apprenticeship and he would be gone. This was boring. Day in and day out, it was the same thing; he could be doing so much more and earning a lot more money. All he could think about was getting out of this arrangement and moving on with his own life.

One day the master called his two apprentices to him. He asked them both the same question. "Where do you think you are right now on your path?"

Bob, naturally, responded first. "I am an accomplished cabinet maker. People seek me out for their needs because they desire the beauty and quality that arises from my creations. I am ready to move on."

Tim sat for awhile without saying anything, but finally he spoke quietly. "I came to you not truly knowing what it was I wanted or needed. I found for myself a path to walk upon. I discovered, while I walked that path, that the journey had no end. I have found contentment." With those remarks, Tim smiled and fell silent once again.

The master looked at both of the young men for a moment and then said to them, "I allowed the two of you to work along side of me in the hopes that I could pass some of what I have gained over the years on to each of you. In that regard, I have been only partially successful. What I tried to impart upon you was not a skill. That was already developing within you when you came upon me. One of you has wasted his time being here as he has learned nothing that can be useful in life. The other has surpassed his teacher and I bow to him and ask that I might remain with him so I may now learn from him."

The Self and The Other

The self and the other
Are two of the same.
When the active ceases,
The other one remains.
Ten thousand thoughts
Return to the self,
Right where they were
In the other one's else.

Nightwings

I have always been one of those, but not fully accepted by them. I don't like the light; it hurts so very much. I want the shadows. There I find my comfort. I am not, however, adaptable to the night. I still need to wander the daytime. I do not seek out the company of those who move around me. I avoid the contact as they avoid contacting me. The taste has never really come upon me. I find my nourishment in other manners. the mind fits into a slot somewhere between the two worlds, carving out its own niche, seeking for itself a place to call its own. I avoid those who may be similar and those so different from me, and yet, yet I wonder what life would have been like to have belonged in one or the other. But there has been the wolf and he has been my friend.

Abandon Me

Abandon me my love.
Walk away into the night.
Life will still go on.
What is it you thought?
That my world was you,
And I could not survive?
There is no such person.

Cause and Effect

Professor Long had been teaching the same course for the past five years, ten semesters. Each semester, as he taught, in the back of the room stood an old man listening to his lectures. Finally one day, he approached the elderly gentleman and asked him why he kept coming to his lectures, semester after semester.

"I am no longer a human. I once was the professor who taught this very course before you. Several years ago, a student asked me if what I taught had anything to do with him becoming an enlightened individual sometime in his life. I answered, such a thing does not happen. Now I am a timber wolf. I return seeking something to turn be from this path. Can you help me?"

The next time the class met, Professor Long waited until all the students were assembled and he spotted the old man, who he now knew as Professor Short, and then he said to the assembled listeners, "My lecture today is based upon that which has been discussed. As you seek which you need, each of you here eventually will, in your own way, want to become enlightened. My advice is, 'Don't ignore cause and effect.'"

With that the former professor got up and left the room, satisfied. He passed away soon after, a happy man.

At the next class meeting, Professor Long announced there would be a brief assembly at the end of class in honor of Professor Short, who had died. As none of the students there knew who he was, there was puzzlement and whispering throughout the room. One students asked who he was, as no one knew of any professor who had recently died or of one named Short.

Professor Long lead the class out into a nearby field. There was a funeral pyre set-up and a timber wolf body lying upon it. Professor Long stopped near the pyre and said, "Professor Short was the former teacher of our course. He once erred in his instruction and was doomed to wander as a wolf for his misjudgment. Unless each of you open your minds, you too will wander.

Fades of Gray

I used to be able to laugh every day
But then the laughter went away
Then I found myself alone crying
But I felt I was caving; lie in
Sadness long enough
It just fades away

Healing

Why heal the body,
When the mind bleeds?
Bandaging the wound
Cannot heal the mind.
For when the mind heals,
The body soothes.
When both become free,
Only then do souls ignite.

The Moon

Over the gently swaying trees
The bright moon is so full
I watch as I drift and lull
And my spirit force frees.

Floating

She sat and watched the stream each and every day. It flowed past her place, very gently past. She watched small leaves floating on the surface and little branches as they traveled downstream. The water was shallow and she could walk across the stream in front of her place without even getting her clothes wet. Sometimes she would cross over and watch from the over side.

Often, while she sat watching, she wondered what it was like farther downstream. On occasion she asked her father about it. Her father told her that life was very good right where she was. Downstream, life was much worse. She did not need to go there. She would be in terrible danger if she ever went downstream. He urged her not to wander. Here was her place and here she was safe.

One day, as she was watching things float downstream, she decided she would try floating on the stream, just like all the objects she liked to watch. The water was awfully gentle and it was not very deep. She could float a short ways down the stream and be able to see a few new sights. Whenever she wanted to, she could just stand up in the stream, walk to the shore and come back home.

She looked around and found a wide board that was dry and could support her if she lay on it. So she sat down on the board, pushed off and began to float down the stream. The board moved gently downstream, just like the leaves and branches. It moved very slowly. She watched everything. She saw new trees she had never seen before. She saw animals coming right up to the shore to drink. She watched the leaves and the branches floating by her. She was even able to see fish in the stream. What she did not see was that the stream was getting deeper and the water was moving faster.

After some time, she decided she should probably get off the board and head for home. She had been gone for quite a long time. When she went to get off though, she noticed for the first time that she could no longer see the bottom of the stream. She was concerned, but she was not really worried. She considered herself a good swimmer. As she prepared to slip into the water, she also noticed the water was now rushing by very quickly, and that she would have some trouble swimming across to the shore, which, by this point, was quite a distance from where she was on the board. Again she was concerned, but as she had never been in trouble before in her life, she still was not terribly worried.

She would do what she had always been taught to do. She would call out for her father. So she did, loudly, but there was no answer. She called again, yelling his name even louder, but still there was no response. She realized she had drifted a very long way from her home on the stream's current, and her father probably could no longer hear her calls for assistance. At this point she decided she was worried.

Ahead she also noticed some problems developing. If the board she was riding on continued to drift in the current to the left, everything would be just fine, and she would likely drift into shore in a short while. However, it the board continued on in the center of the stream, it was going to crash onto some very large sharp rocks. If that happened, she would likely be injured. Still, the board could drift to the right in the ever-widening stream. If that was the case, the board and its' passenger were going to go over a large set of falls and she was pretty sure she would not survive that journey. Having not considered navigation before she set out, the board was completely adrift and she had no control over the direction it would take. All she could do is to sit there and watch the events as they unfolded.

Just when she was sure the board was heading for certain disaster, it veered to the left and drifted peacefully into shore, safely. She immediately jumped up off the board onto the shore and raced all the way home. When she arrived, she ran straight to her father and tearfully told him her horrible story. he listened to her patiently. When she had finished, he did not scold her for being disobedient. He told her he was glad she had not been injured or lost and that she was where she belonged, at home, safe. He reminded her, everything in life was a lesson to be learned from. She agreed with that.

The next morning she arose and went down to the shore. As she had done for years, sat down and watched the leaves and branches for awhile. After a short time, she stood up and looked around. No one was in sight. She looked carefully for her father, because after her scare the day before, she wanted to know where he was. She did not see him. She picked up a wide board, set it down in the shallow water, sit down on it, pushed herself off from the shore, and floated downstream. She had a smile on her face.

Dark

Step back, the dark engulfs
Folding around the body
Feel the comfort it gives,
As those in light pass by.
Stand quiet, so as to blend
Ease back safe in the arms
Of the mist of the dim.
Busy folks passing you by,
And you stand safe from them.
They can't reach nor harm you.
You don't have to bother
Or act with any of them.
For a while there is peace,
And for a time there's calm.
Then you step into light,
Join the world going.

Clever

I recognize how to use tools
And I can pick up a pen and write.
I know I am sufficient at these.
It is others who can be clever.

Thought Process

Devious little mind
Was turning all the knobs
And testing the water temp
Looking for a way, but
Not caring 'bout the Bomb
I just stepped on it,
Like a little cockroach.

The Cave

The cave was a lonely place. It was tucked back in the side of the cliff, on the side of an insurmountable mountain. On the base of the mountain a dense impenetrable forest grew. No paths lead to the mountain and no way could be found to scale the cliff face. Yet within the cave lived a man. He lived a solitary life. He had been there for many years now. In the mornings he came to the front of the cave and watched as the sun rose, for the cave opening faced the rising orb. In the evening, he sat in the same place as the shadows rose and the darkness came to the cave.

This hermit had not spoken aloud for all the years he had lived in the cave, for there was no one to speak to. Having not seen another person in all that time, he no longer missed human contact. One morning he arose and he made his way to the cave opening, as he had done many times before. There, siting facing the rising sun was another man. The hermit was startled, but he moved to a place along side the new visitor and sat down, waiting for the morning light. After his meditation, he arose and began his return to the cave. The new tenant turned to him and spoke, "Where are you going? Don't you want to talk. I have just got here."

Again the hermit was startled and did not know how to react. He looked back at the man. What was he to do? He shrugged his shoulders and sat back down, but since he was so unfamiliar with speaking and conversation, he just sat there. After awhile, he decided he had sat long enough and he arose again to return to the cave, so he could continue his daily routine. As before, he rose and moved toward the entrance of the cave. As before, the visitor spoke to him, "Where is it that you are going? I really want to visit with you? Why do you insist on running off?"

This time though the hermit ignored the man and continued with what he had planned. He entered the cave and performed his daily tasks. As the end of the day neared, he returned to the cave entrance so that he could view the setting of the sun and the coming of the shadows. The visitor was still sitting on the edge of the cliff, just as he was in the morning. This time he ignored the hermit and neither looked at him nor spoke to him. The cave dweller sat down, as he had done every day, quietly watched as the shadows climbed up the cliff and filled the cave.

After a while he turned to his guest, smiled and said the first words he had uttered in many years, "You do realize there is no possible way for you to have come to be sitting outside this cave, just as there is no way for me to me here. Have you even considered that?"

Noble

Marching off to war
What a noble thing to do.
After years of growing
And years of learning,
Here you are fighting for
Someone else's goal, and
Some country's glory; yet
You'll go willingly
And you'll maybe die,
To be buried in some
Foreign ground away
From your own, and
Away from family; so
Let us be so very noble.
They will appreciate it.

The True Search

Let some do the search
Miracles they may find
Let others sit and judge
If we are crude or fine.

I only care to know
If the flower I see today
Has blossoms of red or white.

Still the Same

Standing facing,
On my head,
Night or day,
What's the difference?
Divide the Niagara.
Half of it above,
Half of it below,
The Falls still roar.

Best Teaching

I was once asked, what was the best manner in which I had ever taught another person. I replied that I taught best facing him.

I then was asked what I did when I had no students, no one to listen to me, and nothing to talk about.

Aside from the absurdity of that, I would stand on my head.

Here

When we arrive
Nothing is added.
When we leave
Nothing is lost.
That's how it is.
We come and go
And it's all right here.

Alive or Dead

Two long time friends went to view their former colleague at the funeral home, as he had recently passed away. When they arrived, they realized they had come at the end of visiting hours, as they were the only two people there. They entered and approached the coffin. The one tapped on the coffin as he stepped up to it. As he did, he said, "Is it alive or dead?"

His friend said, "I wouldn't say alive nor would I say dead."

"Why not?"

"I just won't"

With that the first one hit his friend.

Later, when they had returned to the one's home, the one who had been hit asked his friend to leave. "You need to leave now. I am afraid that what you did will bring problems for you."

Upon leaving, the man went to a mutual friend's house. Upon arriving, he explained what had happened at the funeral home and how he had ended up hitting his friend. He asked this friend for advice.

His friend,having listened in silence, nodded, and then said, "I wouldn't say alive nor would I say dead."

"Why not?"

"I just won't."

Now he understood.

A Question of Dragons

Many centuries ago, a highly philosophical question was asked. The question pondered was: "Why was the dragon howling in the dead tree?" Much was discussed on this subject, and many scrolls were prepared in an attempt to find an answer to this inquiry. In looking at this today, these many years later, I have to say, I believe those scholars spent too much time on this particular question. In truth, there were two other related questions that needed to be responded to first.

First, what was a dragon doing in a dead tree in the first place? Now I suppose that he probably killed it prior to occupying it, but then, what was the point? A dead tree quickly loses its' ability to support weight and, goodness knows, a dragon does have weight. There simply is no way any dead tree would support a full grown dragon. The damn thing would just snap apart and the dragon would be on the ground in no time.

Now if you're going to suggest, just to be a smart ass that maybe it wasn't a full grown specimen, well, that is just absolutely absurd. Young dragons don't hang around on their own. Their mothers, as we all know, keep them in the nest until they are grown and can fend for themselves. Females travel only in the company of males (after all there are moral standards) and adult males are the only ones ho would be seen on their own.

Besides this, the whole concept of the scorched earth is really one of those western myth and legend things. Dragons are really not a foul breed. The Chinesse and their neighbors have had a lot more contact with them, and for a lot longer, than the Europeans, and they don't go around bad mouthing dragons. By and large, they describe a creature who is fairly peaceful.

Most of the dragon species do not go around scorching their homes and environments. They certainly do not live in an active fire zone as that would make for certain health problems they don't want to put up with, such as lack of decent food, lousy personal hygiene, not to mention the odors.

Second, what is with this howling nonsense? Roar, belch, breathe fire - everyone has read or encountered those attributes in dragons, but when has anyone ever came across any reference to howling in relation to this species. They are not exactly wolves, you know. Howling is not in their bag of tricks; i.e., "the dragon spotted the cute little virgin strolling past his cave, and he howled at her in a lustful manner." No, I really do not think that would happen.

So now, having examined those two issues, let us return to the original question, why was the dragon howling in the dead tree? We have established that dragons do not perch in dead trees and they do not howl. So, in conclusion, we can arrive at a few possibilities. One is that the original poser of the question was just plain nuts. Another is that he was pulling everyone's leg, knowing full well what we know.

Another possibility is that he encountered a dragon suffering from an advanced form of mental illness, who really did not realize he was a dragon, but thought he was a vulture. In which case, sitting in a dead tree was perfectly acceptable behavior. However, that would not explain the howling.

So now we need to alter this last scenario slightly. What we now have is a mentally deranged dragon with multiple personalities. On some occasions, the dragon believes himself to be a vulture sitting in a dead tree waiting for prey. On other occasions, the dragon's personality shifts and he becomes a timber wolf. As a timber wolf, he is not surprised by the presence of the tree, but he knows he should be on the ground, so he climbs done to earth, where he begins to howl, as all wolves do. As a wolf, he is not at all shock to encounter either the vulture or the dragon.

Let us just hope that any one of the three does not turn on one of the others in a fit of hunger. The feeding frenzy would be terrible, especially if one of the others joined in.

Finding Level

A farmer and his son were working and tilling their fields. The father came upon his son, who was looking over a new section of land they had acquired. The section consisted of some low portions and some high portions. The son said to his father, "Do you want me to fill in the low areas using earth from the high ones, so that they will all be level?"

Making fun of his son, the father replied, "Why not just flood the low areas with water until it reaches the high area, as water seeks its' own level? Then the entire field will be level."

The son, becoming very serious, responded, "That won't be necessary at all. The high areas are high level. The low areas are low level."