Mountain Water, by David Gosselin

The Four Seasons, artist not known (China) Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644

Mountain Water
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Rushing, crashing, trickling--
Flowing down a mountain.

Lulling, whirling, singing--
Racing through a valley.

Sage and pupil travelled
By a glistening stream.

The forests were lightless;
The mountainside soundless.

“Listen closely” whispered
The sage to his pupil.

“These clear streams and rivers
Make their way everywhere.”

They listened as they climbed--
Thinking, pausing, wondering.

Silence filled each cavern--
Whirling, calling, whistling.

“These streams flow everywhere”
Said the sage—“Can you hear?”

David Gosselin
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David Gosselin is a poet, translator, and linguist based in Montreal. He is the founder of The Chained Muse poetry website and New Lyre Podcast. His first collection of poems is entitled Modern Dreams.