road from Cowee to Buck Creek

travel ancient mountains, alchemy of color, bear hunters return from day of work. sun falls behind rolling planet, leaves ignite. soon too dark to see sleeping trees.

last refuge
of summer -
autumn.

Master Kong turns on Weather Channel:
big storm causing rain, sleet, wind, and snow.
Master Kong turns off Weather Channel and walks outside,
sees one billion snow flakes covering world.
"Every flake an infinite universe; good time for infinite cup of tea," he says.
Master Kong walks back inside, closes door, and disappears.


ji bo

tiny pumpkin
on threadbare tree -
persimmon.

bocho 2012

"The early Zen priest Daie is said to have suffered greatly from the fact that even the enlightened mind, which has mastered the illusion of reality, is still troubled by dreams of the vulgar world."

Natsume Soseki

Master Kong visits McDonalds

Master Kong and disciple go to McDonalds.
Girl at counter says, "Can I take your order?'
"Big hamburger, extra pickles," Master Kong says.
Disciple says, "We vow not to take life. How can you order hamburger?"
Master Kong says, "Hamburger becomes deep energy. Cow helps save Universe!"
Disciple has sudden awakening: all is One, ketchup is One, pickle is One.
Disciple very happy.
"I'll have cheeseburger!" Disciple says.

to bake a cake
use flour.
to fry a chicken
use oil.
to run a car
use gas.
to poach an egg
use water.
to enlighten a mind
use nothing.



ji bo

we interrupt this program
to say -
now what?


ji bo

ask cloud: do you have self?
ask river: do you have self?
ask tree - do you have self?
ask dog: dog barks.


ji bo

Master Kongs says:
"Seeking enlightenment is to roll Great Ball of Doubt up big hill.
Be careful not to hurt foot!"

mind bomb

if tree falls in forest
and no one sees -
is tree invisible?

let feet do the walking

let mouth do the talking

let heart do the beating

let lungs do the breathing

let eyes do the blinking

let mind do the thinking.

when mind is operating spontaneously,

plenty of time for rest of life!

ji bo 

Master Kong

Master Kong says:

"Don't seek enlightenment
without good flashlight!"

when in hurricane, watch weather channel
when in prison, watch back
when in movie theater, watch screen
when in meditation, watch breath
when Universe disappears - what will you watch?

where will favorite dog be
in one hundred years?

river of molecules
barking at shadows.

ji bo

autumn pond

North Carolina

2012

good poet
 must be
 good thief!


 ji bo