Thunderstorm Below the Mountain
(after Hokusai)
Lacking humility, I take without thinking.
How far we’ve come, to look below for
lightning, the valleys shaken
with thunder, answers
like pebbles flung outward,
each to its own arc, separate
yet of one source, shaded into the question.
Is it for the scarcity of reach,
the reverse view through the bamboo rings
well out of sight, that
breath in the wave’s tuck or
smoke mingling with the clouds
and figures collecting salt,
that I edge myself closer, again,
to this place? To be nothing
presumes presence in absence.
Lacking humility, I accept without thinking.
O at the Edges 
This is a very thoughtful piece! If you lack humility, there’s no hope for the rest of us 🙂
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I am frequently humbled by the most insignificant things and events! And thank you.
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sign of wisdom – you know enough to know there’s always so much more!!!
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And we are presence in absence, all, collectively, to be considered if all is to be known.
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Always, Ken, always!
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So deeply spiritual and moving!
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Thank you. So pleased you found it so.
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Ahhh, this is beautifully written!
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Thanks very much.
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Very visual. Loved it!
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Thank you, Meg.
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Just when I was wondering where I was going to get more inspiration for my fictional soldier-poet, you came through again! I found Hokusai’s print at the Honolulu Museum of Art (http://honolulumuseum.org/art/8971), and I’ll be thinking about this one for a while…. Thank you!
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Thanks, Christine. I love Hokusai. The entire series is wonderful.
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‘To be nothing
presumes presence in absence.’ Beautiful ❤
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Thank you, Steph.
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Thank you, for making me think. This is breathtaking.
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I’m pleased you like this. Thank you.
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If ever I reach the point of being quarter the writer that you are, I will consider myself accomplished. You amaze me. Belinda.
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Thanks, Belinda! I just throw words at the page, and some of them stick. 🙂
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You’re welcome. I need glue to catch those words you’re throwing, huge grin.
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Flypaper works well. 🙂 And thanks again for your kind words.
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It is very well written. Interesting poem.
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Thank you, Leila. Much appreciated.
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great poem and imagery to go with it 🙂
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Thanks, Glenn.
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This is a searing poem, Robert.
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I blame it on the lightning! And thank you, Nadia.
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Oh!! I should have seen that coming. Good one. 🙂
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I had not heard of Hokusai until reading your poem. What a wealth of creativity (both you and he!), inviting the mind and heart to move a little more into the richness of a single moment, place, and/or experience. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Jan. Hokusai has long been one of my favorites.
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Even with a glance at his work, I can understand why.
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Lovely
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Thanks very much.
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