I.
When a friend gives you a bowl for tea,
thank the friend for the gift,
but not the bowl.
The bowl is an object,
the gift is the effort.
II.
When holding the bowl,
do not be afraid to drop it,
for it is nothing but dust
formed in fire and water.
When holding the bowl,
be careful not to drop it,
for it is everything;
Earth, air, water –
and the fire in the heart of the potter.
III.
The bowl at my lips,
sipping tea,
the world disappears.
IV.
The bowl upside down
how will it cradle the tea?
Turn it right.
Turn it right.
V.
The tea fills the bowl –
warmth & taste.
The bowl holds the tea –
form & place.
VI.
Look inside the bowl.
Inside is emptiness.
Smash the bowl into pieces.
Where has the emptiness gone?
VII.
In the center of a lump of clay,
you formed emptiness.
We are clay.
We are clay.
VIII.
The bowl –
full of sky.
The bowl –
full of sea.
IX.
The bowl is the earth,
frail clay,
steaming sea,
Cupped in my hands,
a rough mountain,
a round moon.
X.
Inside the bowl –
a world.
Outside the bowl –
a world.
Ambassador- make peace!
Make peace!
XI.
Between the bowl & my hand
a hundred shades
of blue
of brown
of green.
For each atom in the universe,
a hue of color flecks the bowl.
XII.
The bowl is only a bowl – nothing more.
The bowel is only a bowl – nothing.
The bowl is only a bowl.
The bowel is only.
The bowl is.
XIII.
The bowl is too hot to hold.
The tea remembers the flame.
1978