October 29^th, 2016

I cannot find the
Monastery of Heaped Fragrance,
Miles up now
Into the clouds of the summit.
There is no footpath
Through the ancient woods.
Where did the bell sound,
Deep in the mountain?
The voice of the torrent
Gulps over jagged stones;
Sunlight hardly warms the bluish pines.
As dusk deepens
In these unfathomable mazes,
I practice meditation
To subdue the dragon of desire.