Prosperity

Even withered trees give prosperity to the mountain. -- Japanese proverb

A withered tree. A standing snag
that's home to unfledged eagle chicks.
Three days of work for charcoal burners,
shelter for a seedling. Substrate
for six different mushrooms. Log
aswarm with beetle grubs, a feast
for hungry springtime bears. Deep soil
textured with crumbling chips of wood.

The painter's brush hovers, selects
black and grey tints from her palette.
The painting taking shape reflects
the wealth a mountain monk can get
within the scope of austere vows.
It frames the peak in leafless boughs.

Collection available! Knocking from Inside