ZHUANGZI
IN THE GARDEN

I arrange the hydrangea branches according to rank when I tire of it I wander into the land of non-being linger in the fields of the boundless unperturbed the lizard keeps watch over the territory of its dreams it is cast in copper the catkins held in longing offer comfort in stillness one knows who one is and can begin to give the sunflower something to hold on to to offer rosemary consolation can I trust the humid air will there be water later then I ride the bird of unknowing out of the world of space to scatter black holes through the fields of the boundless

a dolphin is stuck in the garden hedge a helicopter has landed the children have inflated the inflatable animals words have arrived for the sake of thought I can find no one who forgets the self with whom I might speak

as though it had come within sight as though to see the garden I had dived into the depths of the ocean nothing equals water in equilibrium I guard what is within me so that it does not overflow