Images of fall, Albuquerque Botanical Garden

Sweeping Leaves

Lacking cash to buy firewood,

I sweep up leaves from the road in front,

Each one as valuable as gold;

Piled up like gorgeous red brocades,

i cover them greedily for warming my knees

And to bring some comfort to my cold hear;

I'll take them back to burn in the hearth while i sit in meditation,

and return to listening to the rain dripping on the steps.

Ryushu Shutaku from Zen Poems