"December rain" [shi]

December rain descends like olden days
soon orphaned in this world is every man
time passes dream-like in a clockwork haze
till altered proves the hue of every plan
what was our aim? is love within our span
or out of reach?  truth's veiled from our gaze
we but achieve what trivial thing we can
December rain descends like olden days

December rain in depth of night arrives
back in Los Angeles sits one lone chap
who fits the shoe?  who tinkers in our lives?
who manifests  like water from the tap?
within the heart remains enigma's gap!
what art without real striving ever thrives?
yet falling into mercy's ample lap
December rain in depth of night arrives

December rain!  come pluck the harp & sing
or with the reed   chart Rumi's tale once more
the soul (Kabir said)   hurtling on its swing
describes an arc from birth to death   what shore
would smile beyond Samsara's inkly lore?
how might one rightly view the simplest thing?
let mercy flood the room    ceiling to floor!
December rain!  come pluck the harp & sing