New Year of the Rat 2008

-by Marilyn Allysum (1996)

Myriad thoughts        

string past…..

In a Flicker                            

they are gone

like ghosts…..

with long tails

Pursuing truth, harmony, abundance, justice

with quick perception

Sweeping action into a passing thought,

When we spin round, tails cannot be seen…..

                                                Effortless

                                                Movement precedes thought.

In the deep blue

Calmness of night’s

Incensed air…..

I come down the treasured

Narrow steps in my

Barefeet

But I find them                        already there…..

Awake and diligent

Yet nested in softness.

I too must

                                                Invest

In this night

to allow…..

cultivation

Of the pearl.  

And when daylight’s

                                                                         Industry again reclaims

                                                             with its numeric chanting

I call myself to night’s

                                                                         principles of peace

                                                                         and unfoldment

for when night’s heavy

                                                                         cover shields the light

I call myself to day’s

                                                                         Awakening of the goal

                                                                         To serve

Ah ~ to live in Tao ~ focus

Each breath in the Inner

L  I  G  H  T    P  A  T  H

            MING DAO

            Sustaining

             Bao shou

Awaiting            to Illuminate

   Jing                          Ming

               Within

                 Ling