March 29^th, 2018

A quiet residence
With hardly a neighbor
A grass-covered path
And deserted garden.
Birds roost
In pond-side trees;
In moonlight,
A monk knocks at a gate.
Crossing a bridge
Unfolds more wilderness;
Moving a rock
Moves the base of clouds.
I’ve been absent for some time
But now I’m back;
I won’t break our vow
Of retreat.