枯山水 レモン zen garden lemon

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still life with miniature Zen garden
(and line from William Carlos Williams)
the grapes are almost gone
the strawberries too I’m afraid
both delicious
     so sweet and so cold
if you’ll not mind
I’m about to slice a wedge
from the last lemon
and squeeze a few drops
with a dash of zest
onto the mosses
in the rock garden
     here on my desk
no not to consume
     a gesture rather
for the rake-rippled waters
have long been calm
     and empty
the island outcrops
in colour and contour
     changeless
with nothing to undo
     the perfect
                  stillness
of my compact Zen replica
     (other than an errant feather)
contemplation is
what it’s for I know
as daily I seek
to gather settle
     and release
my thoughts my
mind my spirit
stone by stone
shade by shade
     like a rosary
it’s just an urge
a need I have
for a waft a wave
a frisson let’s say
     of tartness
acidic and sour
that’s all
     call it baptismal
do enjoy the last few grapes
and strawberries though
and help yourself
to the remaining lemon—
the palate can only take
     so much sweetness
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*The above photo and poem featured as part of the weekly Symbolic Scribbles Series at Saccharum, where an ongoing collaboration of poets with poets happens. Check it out.