A Blossom Falling on Water ( by Qi Ji)

The connection between silence and poetry runs deep.  This is a discovery that can be newly made every time one of us slows enough and settles on the mat.  What sometimes emerges from quiet contemplation is a meditative poem, as our thoughts gradually lose velocity and trend towards stillness.

Here's a fine example of a meditative poem by the Chan monk Qi Ji which was written in the late 9th century/early 10th century.   Instead of calling this a poem (诗) or using one of the many other standard Chinese synonyms for poetic writing, Qi Ji describes this piece with the phrase 书怀 which I have translated as words inscribed in the heart.  This strikes me as a very apt way to describe a poem that serves as a bridge leading us to a place where words no longer suffice.

Along the path to the forest temple

Words inscribed in the heart

There’s clamor enough

When a blossom

Falls on the water

In this remote place

Residing in faith

Night and day

Whoever comes to

This mountain temple

Can grasp it

If first they take

Broom in hand

To sweep pine needles

From the front gate

These are the matters

Which should remain

Unsaid except for the poem

Still unformed and

Wordless in your head

  

Rumor and innuendo

And good news

From the world

The countless desires

That burden us

Along with the cries

Of the forest apes

居道林寺书怀

齐己

花落水喧喧

端居信昼昏

谁来看山寺

自要扫松门

是事皆能讳

唯诗未懒言

传闻好时世

亦欲背啼猿