Charles van Heck's Woodhull Journal

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Wanderers on the Narrow Path

In the morning solitude
Sunflowers lift their heads
Serenely towards the ascending light.

I too wander on the narrow path
To where the sun descends beyond the Yu Shan Mountains.
In the morning solitude

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Walking Along the Liwu River Gorge

Thin mist floats through the fingers of trees,
An emerald forest touching clouds,
Rising on the jagged cliffs along the Liwu River.

Only the wise are sparing in speech
Before the spirit towers.
They measure themselves in no hurry

As they listen for the flapping of eagle wings,
And pass their days among the boulders
Until their hair turns white.

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Twilight At Changuang Temple

The temple garden closes beneath
Twilight’s clouds parted by autumn’s wind
Unfolding the River Heaven above Hu-lu Gu.

In my east room I have seen the clear light
Of the floating life and heard the faint
Whispers of the White Fox following his
Own foot path to Taroko Gorge
To practice The Way.  He leaves no tracks
On the moss covered rocks along the wild
Liwu River banks to ascend the highest peaks

Long Ago I passed through the Dragon Door,
My path to the gate now sprouts mounds of grass,
To cherish the empty and the pure,
To let my body dissolve into the thousand selves,
To become myself and my soul to become as the 
Liiwu River washing away endless torment and regret. 

The temple bell rings in the night
When sorrow and remorse return.
I will not pass through the Tiger Door.

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Postcards from Taiwan:

Wanderers on the Narrow Path,

Walking Along the Liwu River Gorge

Twilight At Changuang Temple

© 2025 Charles van Heck