The h2g2 Poem
Created | Updated Apr 30, 2003
The Tao of Cats
the cat that is seen is not the only cat.
the cat that is heard is not the only cat.
the cat that is known is not the only cat.
the cat that is not known
is the only cat.
a window opens.
the cat considers
doing and not-doing.
a window closes.
up and down the bird
weaves his song through the branches.
the cat's tail twitches.
the goldfish swims
in morning sunlight - on the wall:
rainbows, and the cat's shadow.
goes out the door
comes in the door
in or out: same thing.
beyond cat and not-cat:
the sound of one paw stepping.
when the food bowl is full,
there is no cat.
therefore the wise person
who wishes to find the cat
empties the food bowl.
if you call a black cat,
a white cat appears.
young or old, male or female,
hidden but always present,
that is the cat's way.
being and not-being:
the cat sleeps
while the universe turns around it.
