Hyakujo’s Koan The generosity of air, and words that shear like ice. The catthat worries the hedge. Dark clouds that scroll acrossthe sky;                        a driving rainthat plows the wet grass. Poor Hyakujo! Soon what light there iswill go. The wild geese—alreadygone.  Tarn Flashes Winking at the Sky* folded mountains shedding silt sieves into green watersand     flowing downward, waterward                         when in her fullness she shines                                                on the earthglimmers where water is  *in conversation with Sappho 
Yet There is Chasing and Floating* wet hair splayed across her back            trees     briars     berries     Even the cawing crows sound distant Clouds with a bruised –colored edge. I swear I take no pleasure            in being on the earth  *in conversation with Sappho   Merry Benezra is a writer living in Nova Scotia. She is currently exploring women’s experiences as they age in this world. She owes a debt of gratitude to her many teachers, fellow poets, and to her brilliant, patient readers. Poetry is a communal and life-saving activity, in a world that needs more community, more healing.