Everyday Zen

Tanka 10/11/2016

at times to all
rain cleanses the air
and other times
without you
I’m just indifferent

how sad to think
if someone might’ve lost
to bitter winds
at the sight of a mere leaf
what my heart couldn’t keep

still alive
in some parts of me
this autumn
of all the songs you sang
the sound of sweeping leaves

rooftop drunkenness
in the cover of night
and sharp winds
wondering if it’s fate
that hangs by the railing

spring would come
if the weeds do too
in a sense
if I lock my door
it won’t change a thing

been sixteen years
of living sixteen more
I owe him nothing
but myself
his company

Zen we spoke of
considering Buddhism
deep in our hearts
we still wonder for whom
does the mockingbird sing

sometimes a womb
may open a whole world
to prejudice
or it’s just leftover food
that ends up like this

now you’re old
wondering who said what
so easily
a new day has risen
from ashes of what was

so sure
I promise myself
the last time
I light a cigarette
is now