Short Verses
by Marie Bortolotto 2024
1
Happiness in the Morning
by Wen-siang, Chinese refugee poet, 1210
from Sleepless Nights:Verses for the Wakeful
translated by Thomas Cleary
Happy in the morning,
I open my cottage door;
A clear breeze blowing
comes straight in.
The first sun
lights the leafy trees;
the shadows it casts
are crystal clear.
Serene,
in accord with my heart,
Everything merges
in one harmony.
Gain and loss
are not my concern;
this way is enough
to the end of my day
2
Free People
The universe has free people
whom nothing whatever concerns.
Controlling their thoughts,
they stop all illusions
to find one whole reality.
Having forgotten all about glory,
how could they worry about disgrace?
Since they have no riches at all,
how could they dislike poverty?
Although you may say
the green mountains are fine,
Still know they are objects outside.
Short Verses
by Marie Bortolotto 2024
I.
train whistle
travelling nowhere
but here
II.
again and again
gazing down the street
a mountain
III.
in and out of time
losing the rhythm
finding the way
IV.
a Buddha
sits
facing traffic
V.
a sprig of cedar
smelling the greenness
of now
VI.
afternoon sun
on my eyelashes
watery crystals
VII.
no one living
at the derelict house
only a pink rosebud
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| Marie Bortolotto |
Short Verses
by Marie Bortolotto 2024
I.
white fog
ascending from the treetops
crow chaos
II.
blood work clinic
only the icy christmas tree
offers warmth
III.
young people
how can they possibly understand
the perils of aging?
IV.
kind words
the blood technician returns
a harried smile
V.
the price of healthy food!
who will pick that neglected kale
in the garden?
VI.
how lovely!
classical piano sounds mingle
with birdsong
V.
again, a child
breathing into the strength
of winter memories
VI.
the old apple tree
under twilight's spell, twinkling
with festive lights
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| Marie Bortolotto Art |
Short Verses
by Marie Bortolotto 2024
 |
| Marie Bortolotto Art |
