wabi-sabi - 侘寂 wabe·sabe (japanese noun) - The discovery of beauty within the imperfections of life.  A deep meaning in which life and art are viewed as beautiful not because they are perfect and eternal but because they are imperfect and fleeting.



In tranquil light—
a high mountain
isn't as daunting. 

Nor when the ocean
 swallows shipwreck graveyards 
or islands upon her ebony belly– 

it becomes a habitat 
for wandering nomads aplenty.

Arrange the seeds 
to which it may grow,
but despite all efforts 
the petals will eventually fall.

The wind is 
always earnest, 
but not when 
you are lost at sea.

You are a 
house now.

With your chipping paint, 
empty hallways, 
warm fireplace, 
a lone cobwebbed chandelier, 
countless beloved books, 
but always too quiet.

Learn to love 
the unmended.  

Gather all the
parts of you, 
the world frowns upon:

The graying hair,
your father's eyes, 
your mother's temper, 
stretch marks,
bleeding scars, 
torn tendons,
reckless self-injuries, 
his love marks, 
her friendship tattoos—

You are a constellation
of attributes. 

An imperfection made 
perfect in such a design. 

Like all things 
in this life, 

so innately majestic 
because they are fleeting.