Cutting Up an Ox

Prince Wen Hui's cook
Was cutting up an ox.
Out went a hand,
Down went a shoulder,
He planted a foot,
He pressed with a knee.
The ox fell apart
With a whisper.
The bright cleaver murmured
Like a gentle wind.
Rhythm! Timing!
Like a sacred dance.
Like "The Mulberry Grove,"
Like ancient harmonies!

"Good work ! " the Prince exclaimed,
"Your method is ''faultless ! "
"Method ? " said the cook
Laying aside his cleaver.
"What I follow is Tao
Beyond all methods ! "

The Way of Chuang Tzu.
Translated by Thomas Merton. London, 1970