This is a second poem I wrote after being
invited to see one of the greatest
Chinese paintings of all time.
It's called "Tea in Ryoko-in."
"Mu Ch'i had six persimmons for his mind.
No one spoke of it.
Kobori-san folded time's orange napkin, whisked the green tea
into the Buddhist grail, time's tea bowl.
We, on our cushions, smiled.
Cool wind grazed through the door.
Mu Ch'i with artless art had plucked his fruits out
of a white eternity.
In smoke, he outlined them and left.
Time sat, a waterfall not falling.
Were we alive?
We saw white hibiscus lay on the iron heart."