In my coffee cup
 
a spider weaves a new web—
 
autumn’s first surprise.

 
 
 

Into its shadow
 
a bell releases one note—
 
autumn loneliness.

 
 
 

My next-door neighbor
 
comes up with a new excuse
 
not to rake his leaves.

 
 
 

Deepening autumn—
 
my old grey tabby’s ninth life
 
withers like a leaf.

 
 
 

My next-door neighbor
 
keeps raking leaves in the rain—
 
autumn loneliness.

 
 
 

my meditation:
 
the sacredness of water
 
flowing over stones

 
 
 

Autumn loneliness:
 
within its shadow the bell
 
gathers one more note.

 
 
 

First song of autumn:
 
a golden plum leaf trembles
 
in the fading light.

 
 
 

Into emptiness
 
that no ringing bell can fill,
 
a blackbird enters.

 
 
 

Beyond the vineyard
 
the village church’s old bell
 
tolls out the seasons.