Layabout

Do nothing and everything will be done,   

that's what Mr. Lao Tzu said, who walked   

around talking 2,500 years ago and   

now his books practically grow on trees   

they're so popular and if he were   

alive today beautiful women would

rush up to him like waves lapping   

at the shores of his wisdom.   

That's the way it is, I guess: humbling.

But if I could just unclench my fists,   

empty out my eyes, turn my mind into   

a prayer flag for the wind to play with,

we could be brothers, him the older one   

who's seen and not done it all and me   

still unlearning, both of us slung low

in our hammocks, our hats tipped   

forwards, hands folded neatly,   

like bamboo huts, above our hearts.