The Teaching

 

I loved sitting with you

I really did

Your silent hospitality

Never concealed any wisdom

Or a bottle of Sake

Many times you wanted me to start smoking

But it was only after your heart attack

That I seriously considered it

Author's Note

For Shinjin

Reviews

[...]

. you are a master of brevity and emotional expression ... your apparently simple poetry is deeply profound and perceptive and sensitive ... thank you for reminding me of the "wisdom" in "silent hospitality" ... and there's little i can say about those last two lines ... except that they have a chilling effect ... in an infinitely poetic sort of way ... (i am a smoker) ...

[An Ordinary Woman]

Masterfully done.

"silent hospitality" creates an image of mystery and intrigue. I love that.

[MOON]

This is a great write deep .

[Audrey Howitt]

I love the sensibility expressed here--your sense of regard, the portrait painted--

[Emily B]

your regard shines in this piece