Poem: Memories of Mount Tai

A sojourn upon steep ascent, from
cable carriage to an arduous climb
and descent by foot... Following
the way of many emperors before,
6,666 steps reaching summit above
seas of cloud and clamour. Ancient
temples awaiting first light, unfolding
dawn beyond such bitter cold and
moments of captured radiance.

Silence amidst wider skies shining
again a path to cultivation. Closer
somehow to my realm of origin,
timelessness and I together upon
a Chinese mountain.

Zhen, Shan, Ren finding my heart
four years later...

(Autumn, 1994)