The Sun, the Moon, the River

A sharp moment is when someone
has told you the truth,
A dull moment is when you try to respond.
Being a lover – or trying to love –
is full of daydreaming.
When Cleopatra oozes her affection,
cuts it with her tempered wisdom,
And exclaims, "You are not worthy of love
and infatuation!"
That is the time a thousand years of manhood,
A thousand years of history and foundation,
Come crumbling down.

Out of this rubble, arise with grace and integrity.
Don"t be bashful about your secret
and most hidden inhibitions,
For she is a woman and you are a man.
Power is with you – skill with her.
At this moment do not touch your wounded heart
or corrupt pride:
Put forth a face of gaiety and mirth.
Look at her – look at yourself,
For she sees you – now see her.

The Nile may be wide but parts are shallow–
Cross it when you can.
Don"t be foolish and drink this serpentine river,
For she will win, and you will lose.
Because change is her blood,
You must be like the desert and move
as the winds tell you.
This is a perpetual dance of mind and heart,
of soft and hard.
Don"t stand still:
The quicksand of discursive intention

Will make you sink.
Time helps neither you nor her,
But flexibility can wound this eternal play.
Be the sun, brilliant and wise.
Let her be the moon, brilliant and clear.
Between the two, life can be interesting.

~~~ Sakyong, Jamg�n Mipham Rinpoche
~~~ Wales, June 2002, after seeing Antony & Cleopatra

Very nice perspective on this shot!

nice-

is this a park?-

very nice, I like the bridge to

There you are! I like daytime moon shots:)