I am transformed in this quiet place


am taken back in time


when geisha walked here with white face


and peacefulness was sublime


silence but for the song of the bird


the splash of the water broken by frogs


just sounds of nature to be heard


and the sight of turtles sunning on logs


ahhh, glorious, ancient world of green!


you fill my heart and mind with peace


I marvel at the beauty of your scene


which never changes, will never cease


the bright orange Koi wait to be fed


the chameleons lay immovable on a leaf


birds fly aimlessly over my head


and I am filled with Zen belief.


you have the power to take me away


from the world of confusion, noise, and rush


you calm my hurried, hectic day


I sit and contemplate in the hush


oh, Japanese garden, please never change


stay as you are, in silent splendor


always familiar, never strange


as I, to your peacefulness, surrender