Something For Beltane

First days of spring -- the sky
is bright blue, the sun huge and warm.
Everything's turning green.

Carrying my monk's bowl, I walk to the village
to beg for my daily meal.
The children spot me at the temple gate
and happily crowd around,
dragging my arms till I stop.

I put my bowl on a white rock,
hang my bag on a branch.
First we braid grasses and play tug-of-war,
then we take turns singing and keeping a kick-ball in the air:
I kick the ball and they sing, they kick and I sing.

Time is forgotten, the hours fly.
People passing by point at me and laugh:
"Why are you acting like such a fool?"
I nod my head and don't answer.
I could say something, but why?

Do you want to know what's in my heart?
From the beginning of time: just this! just this!


- Ryokan, Zen Master (1758 - 1831)