It Will Pass*

A monk went to meet with his master

And wondered what the sage would say.

"Master," he said, "I'm disappointed;

Today hasn't been my day.

"My mind is very distracted; it's like

A monkey jumping from limb to limb.

My legs ache; my eyelids are heavy;

I fall asleep when the lights are dim.

"Whatever I'm doing doesn't seem right.

I seem to be floundering in a morass."

The master quietly gazed at the student

And calmly said, "It will pass."

A month later the monk returned

To meet with his master once again.

"Master," he cried excitedly,

"I think I've grasped the meaning of Zen!

"Today my meditation was perfect.

I feel so calm; I feel such peace.

My mind is clear, focused and centered--

The way it should be when all thoughts cease.

"It's just like a…I don't know…

A calm lake as smooth as glass."

The master looked at the monk and said

Matter-of-factly, "It will pass."

(6-1-17) By Bob B

*A Zen story retold in verse