Captured

painting: Six Persimmons

Muqi Fachang (13th Century)

Think anything at all,
and these seeds collected on the ground 
will silence that thinking.

Think some thought,
the trellised branches climbing,
there among a green vapor of leaves, 
will wrap around your stone brain.

Say anything, and the distant geese
will be heard rebuking the white clouds,
formations of ash piercing sky.

Remember your name, say it aloud, 
and your feet disappear into tall grass.

The true thought contains all of you,
regardless how specific.

Every utterance darts away chirping
into tribes of various flower.

As soon as you remember, it's gone.