For MEL

Put your hand in that still, flowing water
Plunge it to the bottom, have no fear
Put your hand in that still, flowing water
And never cling to things that you hold dear

Everywhere the flames keep growing higher
That old man’s blowing smoke into your face
You strive and strain and struggle towards the wire,
Afraid that you might lose the human race

Put your hand in that still, flowing water
Plunge it to the bottom, just be brave
Put your hand in that still, flowing water
The wise man knows that life is but a wave

The sparrow flies with no thoughts of tomorrow
The tortoise never lingers in the past
The oak tree bares its branches without sorrow
And it don’t care who’s the first or who’s the last

Put your hand in that still, flowing water
Right down to the bottom let it sink
Put your hand in that still, flowing water
And don’t believe in everything you think

Now everything you hunger for is hollow
There ain’t no way you’ll ever get your fill
Wherever you may go, these tears will follow
Unless you keep your flowing water still

Put your hand in that still, flowing water
Hold it in the place where wisdom springs
Put your hand in that still, flowing water
And free yourself from all these petty things

July 5, 2007

Revised November 18-22, 2020

Copyright © 2007 and 2020 by Michael Kim Roos