old pond
a frog jumps into
the sound of water
-Bashō
when we have grown old
and forgetful, there is still the pond
shimmering smooth in moonlight, a
moment before the iconic frog
takes destiny in his clammy toes and jumps,
launches himself, momentarily airborne, into
a splash that soaks us all, echoes around the
world, through time, the sound
expanding, waves of
memory—then, just the water