If you talk about it, it’s not Tao
If you name it, it’s something else
……………. —Lao Tzu, the Tao Te Ching
Lao Tzu’s Lament
At first I think, I’ve got it!
then I think, oh no, that’s not it,
I think, it’s more like a flaming arrow
shot into the marrow
of the bony part of everything
…. ah, but some summer nights
…. it’s hanging overhead so bright
then right there I lose it,
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?
and 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
……….and it deeper than deep is
…………….and higher than high is,
…. ah, but some fresh spring days
…. it’s cutting 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?
by Jim Culleny
© 2015
Rendering in song: Here