Water & Fire
Proverb
Stay still in a moment of rage; escape a hundred days of sorrow.
Poem
The duke has gone hunting
Riding in his chariot
Taking the reins like ribbons
The horses moving like dancers –
He is on the wet ground
As the fire springs out
Strong-armed, he takes the tiger
And kneels to his lord.
Beware of such play, duke!
You can only get hurt.
Meditation
Adventure and excitement – rage and fury.
All powerful emotions.
Yet they can lead to actions and dangers which cannot easily be undone.
The poem is full of symbols of danger, excitement and threat,
but the two elements are yin and yang in nature.
Control the fire with the calm water
and you may be able to achieve the balance necessary.
©Loes Raaphorst 10/2005