Ryan Brotman
English
Ryan is one of the editors for this issue
of Paloverde. He writes for local and regional publications and
loves music, martial arts, and writing.
Brushwork
(To
Lao Tzu)
by
Ryan Brotman
I
remember you
Sitting
On the straw floor
With lotuses
Your
right arm
Pulls straight back
Slowly, your elbow creases
With
left hand
Consoling a weeping sleeve
Brush
pointed down
Unwavering
The bamboo shaft and monkey hair
Bristles whispering India ink and fate
To white rice paper
Now
I sit on concrete
Ankles aching from inexperience
Bare-chested
Brush held in left hand
Taking opposition against our ancestors
And right fingers pointed to the sky
Knowing
change is all the same
I hope I die like you
Meaningless
Yet more poignant than the Long Pagoda
With my words tattooed
To my breast.
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