Soshin

The snow begins across the mountains Covers the rice fields Down below a woman awakens Her breath is frozen in the early morning Out on the freezing streets With bell and bowl she goes People come to see the face People come to feel the light Of an Irish Girl Everything in the world is new Everybody I tell wants to know you Soshin ... Soshin ... She washes noodles by the open window Wet and soft between her fingers The air of spring blows on her face And the moment is eternal Maura sits in the dark womb-like stillness She's thinking 'How can I die or cease to be? I am eternal, I am Roshi!' Everything in the world is new Everybody I tell wants to know you Soshin ... Soshin ... She may not change a blade of grass Nor light the flame for souls to see But in this silent Easter morning She has found a friend in me An Irish girl