To set one's feet in nature, is to find joy.
Do not mistake the diamondback for the gentle garter snake.
We all err; dance with enthusiasm, then lie down.
Invite a friend to play Chinese checkers in the afternoon.
Like the pieces, companionship comes in many colors.
The dragon may defeat the skunk, but the skunk will have revenge.
How pretty, the lights of the ambulance and police car.
A grain of rice may be humbly small in dry seasons,
But the boiling pot will coax the tiny one larger.
A young woman visits the Zen Master privately.
Even boiled rice is not so large; the Zen Master disapproves of her laughter.
A prettier song lures one bird from the nest.
The other uses solitude to meditate and forget.
Zen Master's dog pees all over the carpet.
Rainy days bring remembering, and a bad smell again.
for Real Toads Sunday mini-challenge: zen koans
You worked the form well, Shay! I would guess all Zen masters are not created equal; and his dog peeing on the carpet...I'd say that is definitely a bad sign!
ReplyDeleteYou are so freaking hilarious, I can hardly stand it. I so LOVED this Zen cone:)And the photo with all the obedient doggies. They must be Cesar Milan dogs!
ReplyDeleteinteresting innovations.I liked the first one best.
ReplyDeleteYou have grown wise in the ways of whizz-dumm, my grasshopper. In your next life, you will be promoted, possibly to a fire hydrant. This was painfully hilarious, Shay.
ReplyDeleteDelightful ~~ like you dumped a huge bowl of fortune cookies in my lap.
ReplyDeleteOh, Shay, you are a tonic to the woeful exactitude of life.
ReplyDeleteLove these. Each and every one. You are much the smartest by far.
Enjoyed each one, but the second and fourth "cones" are simply gems - sparkling with wit, colour and mischief!
ReplyDeleteI love your wit ;D
ReplyDeleteThe second one is freaking priceless!
ReplyDeleteShay!!! You never cease to amaze!! Your last brought laughter while your third ...wow...I like the thought of the master being laughed at...how you stated it is genius!! The second line of all I love...feels like tawny tan skin...Great collection, Shay, so enjoyed!!
ReplyDeleteMaster (Mistress?) Shay,
ReplyDeleteI will dutifully meditate on your Zen Cones. I believe I will find the meaning of Life within. Either that, or a way to housebreak my frickin' Maltese!
Really like the 1st one.
ReplyDeleteNice koan poems...I specially like the third one though I was intrigued by companionship comes in many colors ~
ReplyDelete"Do not mistake the diamondback for the gentle garter snake" ... This makes me think of diamond rings/married people and thigh garters.
ReplyDelete"Like the pieces, companionship comes in many colors" ... These are lovers.
"The dragon may defeat the skunk, but the skunk will have revenge." ... This is either good or bad depending on whether one identifies with the dragon or the skunk.
"How pretty, the lights of the ambulance and police car." ... What a profound statement. All revolves around perspective, beauty and death, pain and joy. It all depends on how we look at a situation.
"A grain of rice may be humbly small" ... Again, with perspective. Even the smallest things can be smaller. What we consider important and of consequence. How we rate our own importance and value. We can always feel smaller in dry seasons.
Oh how I hate the boiling pot, even if it adds moisture, size, and worth.
"Even boiled rice is not so large; the Zen Master disapproves of her laughter" ... This is hilarious. He has a tiny one. :)
"A prettier song lures one bird from the nest. The other uses solitude to meditate and forget." ... Indeed. We do respond differently. Control over oneself versus the lack thereof.
Ooh, carpet grass. Meditating with sky as roof. Love it. No dogs allowed under mine, though.
Love the awkwardness of the last line; how very "translated Chinese philosophy."
I haven't read the prompt, but I like this very much.
smart and funny, the first one's right on the money, honey.
ReplyDeletethe photo is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteLOVE
"dance with enthusiasm, then lie down."
♥