Life and the world

would mean nothing

if yourself you don't own--

this would be worse than dying

Don't argue with life-
its mind is made up already
even if you were the smartest
it will claim victory-

follow the gentle Tao
the Way to attain tranquillity
in non-action, non-struggling
non-interfering-- you will set free of misery

Jackson, how did you know?
     Reply: I heard from John.

    I then asked John
    and he replied:
    I heard from Joe-

     I approached Joe
     and he said:
     Jason told me-

    To Jason I rushed
    and he confided:
    L heard that
    from a stranger
    drunk in the pub!

Life's 'is' and 'isn't'
the latter I choose:
the former has happened
and no longer offers any excitement-

on a journey
the best part
is not arrival
but the in-between expectation-

the rose is in budding
we wait for its blossoming-

the moon is not yet
we watch for its shining-

my lover's letter I'm anticipating
how my longing heart is beating!

Her lips to kiss I'm dreaming
it'll be bliss at our lips' blending!

Speak not for me
I need no spokesperson
nor anyone to promote
my cause---my dignity

lies in what I stand for
though unknown to anybody

every life is lived
in the silent singular
miserable is the person
who seeks to be popular

I live and I die
i need none to be nearby

Don't tell people
what you know
all you need to say is:
' I don't know].

Tall-poppies
will be cut down
those hidden
upon them others don't frown-

don't tell people
your likes or dislikes
the books you've read
your travels-- none delights

in your boasting
they find such as most irritating
the moral:  be quiet
say nothing!

After midnight
the city pales
in weariness-
too much
it has seen
and experienced
during the clamour
of the day
it hopes for silence
with everyone
being away-

the street-lights
shiver and quiver
all bars and shops
are closed--beggars
sleep in neglected corners
a few dogs linger
in search for food
in ***** bins
a church-bell chimes
as the last trams
and buses
do their final rounds-

a sudden wind descends
and throws debris
and discarded papers
into the cold air-

the city dies
for a while-
tomorrow
is another story