Zen Poem...

In this way and that I have tried to save
the old pail

Since the bamboo strip was weakening and
about to break

Until at last the bottom fell out.

No more water in the pail!

No more moon in the water!



- Chiyono's enlightenment poem,
Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, 1957, p. 31
Translated by Paul Reps and Nyogen Zenzaki