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