not so lonely yes’s

…I read Chinese poetry, I create vows of genuine friendship with these vultues on my path, with sidewalk kitties, with blue jays on the Bob Jones Trail, and most supremely, with every elegant cow I know. All these mountains.

Fortunately I have no explanation for any of this. An Oregon September 24, 2010 blind date through Match.com led me directly to this very strange California chair on which I sit and type here now, and I can see and roll back 60 years of connections from that Portland cafe. I guess I feel a little nostalgic today.

Early yesterday, Thursday, sipping coffee where I do, I came upon this line in a poem belonging to T’ao Ch’ien, who lived long, long ago – “My empty home harbors idleness to spare.” I have no one I call friend here in San Luis Obispo, despite much weekly people time. In this trailer I most often find myself alone. It’s not a bad thing. There’s idleness to spare.

So I say yes when Koans come calling, and find myself in these September 2025 todays friends with wing-ed and tail-ed creatures. Utterly belonging to the trails I hike. Entirely home on the morning cushion.

“A solitary boat without oars making its way in the moonlight.”