Kyoto

The upper floors were taught to survive
by addition:

lacquer under leaf,
leaf under repair,
repair under the promise
that the same gold would return.

The pond was instructed
by subtraction.

light
　without leaf

shape
　　without timber

name
　　　without the thing named

By the time the lower pavilion
has lost enough to resemble
the upper one,

the water has become
　　　　　　still

enough.