after laozi
all we can
describe is
appearance
careful as one
who crosses
a bridge in winter
alert as one
who anticipates
danger
courteous as one
who is a guest
giving way
like ice melting –
simple as
a block of wood
open as a valley
murky as
a puddle of mud
wait while
the mud settles
wait while
the puddle clears
be still until
right action begins
not desiring
to be full
you can hide
you can become new