Koan

(koan is a meditative question in the form of a poem that those studying Zen may think about whilst meditating).

Time

consider the concept of time,

time did not exist prior to man

for there was no need of it,

man created time,

arguably his greatest invention

but for what reason?

Boredom

 At sunrise

the man asked the boy

to hold his bag

It is very light,

the boy replied.

As the sun westered

the boy complained

of the bag’s

unbearable weight.

but there is nothing

in the bag

the man replied.

Snowflake

Where is the single snowflake

that fell to earth in a storm,

one wondrous moment

in the palm of my hand,

before melting into oblivion?

What purpose did it serve

or message did it bear,

where is the snowflake now?

Wishing

 An old man grants a young girl a wish

for she has done him a kindness

and it is also her birthday.

After her protestations

she agrees to make a wish

but the wish will not come true

if anyone is told its nature.

How does the old man know her wish

and will the wish come true?

Wealth

 Consider the father with great wealth

and his shameful desire to conceal it.

Should we despise or pity him?

His fortune and his children both grow

but upon which does his attention fall first.

Youth

Across a scrubbed table

we surreptitiously appraise each other,

me with nutmeg wrinkled eyes

you, the most perfect blue in alabaster,

we shine

consider both our futures,

I envy your beautiful youth,

you, only my experience

we shine.

Water

The copper bark shines

driving rain and moonlight

slick rivulets

confuse my eyes

helix to puddles below

I think of someone weeping

in a storm.

Knowledge

To answer the questions of life

a man must first allow the question

or how can he know anything

of life

Sound

See how sound may confer movement

on an inanimate object.

Notice how temperature may

alter a sound.

Consider then the movement

that the temperature of each season

may impart to a sound

Nature

Compare the beauty

of the oceans, mountains

and the clouds.

Each cast their spell

to fix our eyes, slow our breath

and weigh our jaws.

Does either have a master?

Emotions

Is it ever a good idea

to act so frequently

on one’s emotions?

For example,

How many of us kill others

when we’re angry

or ourselves, when we’re sad?

No, it’s not a good idea.

Then why do many of us

fall madly in love?