an emptiness that lasts until tomorrow

capital bridge, sacramento river.

for a tall boat, the bridge rises up
shape-shifting into a huge letter H.
traffic stands by like children waiting
for the ice cream on a hot summer evening.
the children are excited, the boat slides
past. the letter H has once again mastered
the wide river, swift and cold and powerful.

james lee jobe

With no underrobes,

bare butt suddenly exposed--

a gust of spring wind

     Buson (1715-1783)

"Interview"

1955

Robert Rauschenberg

rain on the roof    

an emptiness that lasts until tomorrow and then some     

a kind of silence that can be carried around in a cup     

inside the house a man and a woman move in quiet rooms     

they are whispers of themselves     

of who they once were     

the house is rather dark     

there is more shadow than light     

the rain lasts far into the night

     james lee jobe

Bodhisattva Prayer for Humanity

May I be a guard for those who need protection

A guide for those on the path

A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood

May I be a lamp in the darkness

A resting place for the weary

A healing medicine for all who are sick

A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles

And for the boundless multitudes of living beings

May I bring sustenance and awakening

Enduring like the earth and sky

Until all beings are freed from sorrow

And all are awakened.

      Shantideva, Indian Buddhist sage 700 A.D.  

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Thanks, James