Wood & Metal
Proverb
Better to pay your tax than have your head cut off.
Poem
The owls come flying on the wing,
Settling on the trees about the college.
They strip the fruit from the mulberries.
And greet us with their songs.
That should wake up the southern tribes
They will come with their tribute
Great tortoise-shells and ivory tusks
And all their precious metals.
Meditation
Just as spring heralds the coming of summer,
and the southern tribes brought tribute to the Emperor of China,
so you may need to give thanks for all the good things in life.
Offer to those who loves you,
to God and to the world,
your gratitude for life itself.
©Loes Raaphorst 10/2005