An old Buddha sits quietly,
head, belly, and heart
made totally transparent
by all the time between
the craftsmen carefully carving
him from uncut wood
and right now,
in this café on the edge
of all the worlds,
where he continues to return
the form he was given,
this material grace it has taken
so many cycles to accept
and gradually give back,
latch by latch,
knot this and not that,
contracting and expanding
in each season
even as there is less left...

still the right hand rests on knee,
transmitting an old story about patience
and rest and gentle waiting
for what will come
whether you yearn,
or accept, or reject,
whether you learn or ignore,
rejoice or deny,
the matter is gradually settled
and, in no time at all,
one look from his eyes
and I'm yours, already and
forever.