If you talk about it, it’s not Tao
If you name it, it’s something else
What can’t be named is eternal
Naming splits the eternal to smithereens
Not tangled in desire you embrace the unknown
Tangled in desire you see only what you want
But the unknown and what you want
have one source. Call it no place
No place or darkness
……….. —from the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu,
………….. 6th Century BC
Lao Tzu's Lament
at first I think, I’ve got it!
then I think, Ah no, that’s not it
I think, it’s more like a flaming arrow
shot into the marrow
of the bony part of everything
………. but some summer nights
………. it’s hanging overhead so bright
then right there I lose it
I let geometry and time confuse it
then it’s silent and won’t sing a thing
………. but some summer nights
………. it’s croaking from a pond so right
then again I lose it
let theology and time confuse it
then it’s silent and won’t sing a thing
……………….. I’m thinking I’ve been here before
……………….. feet two inches off the floor
……………….. thinking, is this something true?
sometimes I think, I’ve lost it!
though I never could exhaust it
because it’s lower than low is
and wider than wide is
deeper than deep is
higher than high is
………. but some fresh spring days
………. it’s cuttin’ through the fog and the haze
……………….. I’m thinking I’ve been here before
……………….. feet two inches off the floor
……………….. thinking, is this something true?
.
.
song by Jim Culleny, 7/15/15
Copyright: Jim Culleny, 6/23/15
all rights reserved
Recording:
Jim Culleny Vocal and rhythm guitar
Joe Podlesny: Bass, lead guitar
Engineering: Joe Podlesny
Production: Joe Podlesny and Jim Culleny