(“The Particle In The Wave”, 2018, original encaustic)
Down to Zero
In the great equation of Life
Everything eventually cancels out
As it naturally balances
And leaves us down to zero.
From the perspective of static
The dynamic is the illusion
From the perspective of dynamic
The static is the illusion.
Buddhism with its notion of a final Nirvana
Takes the former
Taoism with its effortlessly flowing Wu-Wei
Takes the latter.
That is the East, while in the West
This paradoxical duality is expressed
Succinctly by quantum physics
As the wave and particle nature of light.
The reality is always, of course, different
Than what we think, when we’re at zero
And left with what it means to be alive;
In work or play, depending on our view.
(7/21/25)
The archer shooting his arrow without hesitating,
the musician effortlessly improvising,
the singers seamlessly blending,
the speaker clearly enunciating.
It's not about being lazy or passive
or being forceful or combative.
Nothing unnecessary or artificial,
it's about being spontaneous and natural,
coming from an inner elemental source...
like water finding its course.
His eyes could pierce your soul and evaporate your spirit.
a stone face glare locked on his victim
trembling you turn your eyes from him
ever slightly...
A fist of lightning
strike of a foot in the face
you're on the floor
receiving hit after hit
his legs pin your arms
while tears roll from your eyes
He smiles that wicked smirk
of dominance.
You plea mercy
agree he's right
sorry how wrong you are.
He's up and satisfied
another victim
another victory.
You get up slow
humble
bow to him
look up into his dark black eyes
He snorts like a bull
and you flee
running out the door down the hall
and through the wall if must be
to escape him.
Wu Bi sits at ease in his desk
combs his thick black wavy hair
with his hand than cracks his knuckles.
and the girls all gasp and giggle
the boys look away
The teacher comes in
the class room.
Where is Su Yun?
No one knew
not a one
Wu Bi, handsome devil.
Tao clears mind myriad
Hears gurgled stream trickle
Rejuvenating ease of river
Impels an outlook simple
Verdant steppes imperial
Embrace ouroboros cycle
Joined tail to mouth control
Overcomes chaotic combat
Yin Yan hug in completeness
Temple of self empty vessel
Approaches each hour in Wu Wei
Jaws of serpent ensure return
Iteration eats its tail
Tadpole twirled stronghold
Unhurried harmonious spiral
February finding out
Flitting's like floating
only with
the least amount
and most
ineffectual
intention.
Intention
without
clarity
without
conviction
without
direction
without
without.
Each waft
a contravention.
Somersault of
summer
butterflies,
but better:
butterflits...
Plummer salts
of Winter,
snowfalls
but better:
snowflits...
Though flitting's
altogether fitting
if near-enough
to Surrender
is your kind of
Splendor.
Lying in the incubator amid her nursery ?
Tiny eyes fixated upon the light as gazing
Beyound this wall of glass; their little heart
Swaying soft purity while they stare; lovely
Such innocence entering into a brand new
World and reaching these, precious hands
Trembling with joy their Spirit recognizing
Love's touch; in this, the apple of life's eyes
Lifting them gently from birth's white pillow...
Whispering as cradling, Beauty's kiss; a breath.
Lying in the incubator amid her nursery ?
Tiny eyes fixated upon the light as gazing
Beyound this wall of glass; their little heart
Swaying soft purity while they stare; lovely
Such innocence entering into a brand new
World and reaching these, precious hands
Trembling with joy their Spirit recognizing
Love's touch; in this, the apple of life's eyes
Lifting them gently from birth's white pillow...
Whispering as cradling Beauty's kiss; a breath.