“For Dan Dlugose”
In vast sky’s expanse sun and moon circle round.
Their journeys mark the flow of time.
Glory be to you, blue sky—for I, the sun-and-moon,
am leaving, bound for the four continents, for joy.
On the mountainside a great Rock stands,
the great vulture circles round.
This meeting and parting mark the flow of time.
Glory be to you, great Rock—for I, the vulture,
will wheel into vast space, for joy.
May lightning never strike you, may my wings never fold.
Traveling thus, may we always meet again in joy
on life’s endless paths.
Through the roiling river flash bright-eyed fish.
This meeting and parting mark the flow of time.
Glory be to you, bright water—for I am leaving,
bound afar, for joy.
May I never be captured, may you never run dry.
Traveling thus, may we always meet again in joy
on life’s endless paths.
In the sunlit garden a flower opens, a bright bee circles round.
This meeting and parting mark the flow of time.
Glory be to you, bright flower—for I will see
the blossoms of other lands.
May hail not beat you down, may winds not carry me away.
Traveling thus, may we always meet again in joy
on life’s endless paths.
Now faithful friends circle round me.
This meeting and parting mark the flow of time.
Glory be to you, dear friends, for I am leaving
bound for the distant mountains.
May I make good progress on the path, may all of you live long.
Traveling thus, may we always meet again in joy
on life’s endless paths.