That Poem by VO THI NHU MAI

THAT
(Võ Thị Như Mai)

that a whisper is as soft as a passing breeze
as gentle as footsteps in the late afternoon
as the lilac quivers meeting the wind
as fragile as a dragonfly's wing adrift in sunlight

that the mist of winter brushes fondly against the east wind
in silence, the insects hum and rustle
like karma weaving through drifting clouds
awakening, the secret language of dreams wells up

that silver waves spread beneath the lingering twilight glow
night exhales the sweet scent of pink lotus
the world half-asleep, the moon drops onto the field
in stillness, the Way is found, True Emptiness, wondrous dharma

that stillness fades into the dim hue of a humble heart
stitching a brown robe with the wisdom of silent Zen
retreating within, abiding in the deep hush of summer practice
this dusty body marked with moss, burdened and tender

that the morning is silent, the noon is mute, that your lashes curve
that I lift a piece of moon fallen late into the field
who could have dropped such tangled threads of wistful love?
the galaxy ablaze, vast and resplendent in the dawn

V.T.N.M.