steam

that beat up bald
nicked up tonsured head
it steams
hot and heated
from morning monk work




Olsonomics: Read this Tale Friends

first bell

up at first bell
legs a swinging
reacting
as the first toll ends

deep in first light duties
water, rattlin', grinding, setting, and sorting

alone

'cuz...even the temple dog sleeps
'til the coffee is brewed



the Tired Monk

going home

the match was tight
no faking
no pulled punches
no step back ducking
even when the ropes became chains

30 minutes slips to 60
sweat slips to blood
no more smile just gritted teeth
set up...for one more counter...
a voice

take it home!
go home!

isn't that it?
isn't that all we're doing?




sorry...obscure...today, just let the tired monk vent

morning meditation

morning meditation
thoughts collected
settled and sorted
as 1080 candles flicker
baby monk rubs his face
deep into tired monk robes

forest shadows

slow snowy forest walk
amidst the shadows
cast by a Cat Stevens moon


the Tired Monk




Link: This Blog's Older Brother

what there isn't

there's no steal cage
no grapple busted sweat stained mats
no square circle room strung with boxing gloves

out by the gate...no keeper
sweeping your feet out
with a learned staff

there's just paper and pens
forms with forgotten numbers
these things do snap
the tired monk from his slumber

on Novices (a meditation)

sometimes novice are just done
they step away from studies
    
monk robes become dusty...discarded
tonsured hair grows out

duties fall away...neglected
cigarettes held in bully fists

slow slide from fireside whiskey
to garage bursting with empties

the Bible left unopened
forgotten and lost

pursuits of virtue swing to vice
old life temptations linger

the tired monk was a novice once
he remembers

yes

yes is stepping forward
sliding between the ropes
getting girded in a low
           fighting stance

then...

a quick bow as the bell rings