There is a large boulder
in the midst of the garden.

A peaceful place,
surrounded
by colorful flowers,
sweet fragrances.

I often sit upon the rock and ponder.

Sometimes I lay there
and dream in the gentle
rays of the sun.

I built a koi pond in the garden.

It is such a lovely,
tranquil place.

In hopes
of bringing
even greater beauty
and more of an
"oriental" feel
to the garden,
I painted a dragon
upon the rock,
using colors that
matched the leaves
and flowers.

I miss the lovely garden.

The dragon is an ugly,
fearsome beast.

I dare not venture near.

Under cover of night,
I sneaked into the garden
and hurled a can of pure
white paint toward the
abominable intruder.

The dragon has been slain.

Upon the boulder,
I painted an image
of Buddha,

to purify and protect the garden
from any further demons.

It is again a peaceful place.

I wish
I could rest upon the rock,
but to do so now,
would be blasphemy.

A Holy man visited me today.

We talked for hours,
surrounded by colorful flowers
and sweet fragrances.

I knew he was a Holy man
by the way he sat
on Buddha's face.

***