immortality

The flying one, the whale stays waiting and watching in the waters. Don’t attempt to reach too high, or fly too far —

One day your royal, inner eye will lighten and open and then you’ll salmon-leap the Dragon gate gorge in one!

You attempt to climb the healing tree to the Palace Moon,

but sadly the Gate of Heaven is not open —

Still your travels will carry far and wide with indigenous folk,

everyone will smile and enjoy the flowers...

--poem is inspired by a monk honoring Kuan Yin

camp along p.c.t. - mt. washington (oregon cascades)

the heart of it

The journey goes on far, far into the unknown — and one can’t know whether there’s jade in the heart of the rock or not.

One day, a man will chisel it free into the daylight ...so be calm; you know, it has been there since the beginning of time.

--poem inspired by a monk honoring Kuan Yin

canyon creek, three finger jack (oregon cascades)