In Place 38

She stays some nights, by

lamplight studying, or in

bed, watching the moon

stray among still branches 




The solitude of the hut's location is brought to her full attention when she realizes how long the walk-in would be in darkness and rainy or icy conditions. "Should I get up and check my flashlight batteries again?" she wonders, pulling the blanket up to her chin.


    I don't let white clouds leave the valley lightly
    I escort the moon as far as my closed gate

    --Han-shan Te-ch'ing in The Clouds Should Know Me By Now 120 (tr. Red Pine)

  

In Place 37

Bison have moved south

across the snow to accept

farmers' delivered hay;

no geese fly, no starlings chat





The hut’s large windows permit close observation of the life cycles of one’s plant and animal neighbors. One comes to realize there is no separation.

If we think, “I am here and the mountain is over there,” that is a dualistic way of observing things.

--Shunryu Suzuki, Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness 28.