a guest giving way like ice melting
after laozi

all we can
describe is
appearance

careful as one
who crosses
a bridge in winter

alert as one
who anticipates
danger

courteous as one
who is a guest
giving way

like ice melting –
simple as
a block of wood

open as a valley
murky as
a puddle of mud

wait while
the mud settles
wait while

the puddle clears
be still until
right action begins

not desiring
to be full
you can hide

you can become new

Steven Schroeder