In the Quiet, I Hear the Birds Singing
for Suzuki Roshi
In the quiet, I hear the birds singing,
two together, and one alone.
The wind is silver and spiraling.
The frog sits nobly on mossy stone.
I feel at ease.
Each day, I wake into fragrance,
flower-light and fruit-light, freshening
and flourishing inside me.
In the quiet, I listen with a different kind of mind,
nothing is missing-my life
is generous as it is:
a petal on a wave,
a sky changing color,
my reflection as a tree in clear water.
I feel at ease, here.
Like a child lights up when held in love,
I am buoyant and eternal, unafraid
of time.
Yes, in the quiet, I hear the birds singing,
three together, and not one of us, alone.
By Teresa Williams
