Issue 22 - 1992

Coe Review • Issue 22
Koan
R.D. Drexler
This morning
As he does every morning
Richard Nixon, clad in saffron,
His wavy, brylcreme laced hair long gone,
Walks the twisted paths of Kinkakuji,
Lost in contemplation
To the world and himself.
His life now
Is taken up by meditation,
Exercise to strengthen both
Body and spirit,
And simple food.
At this point Richard Nixon falls into the green pool in front of the
Golden Pavilion. He floats face down for more than a minute in the
light green algae laced water, like a large saffron turtle. The other
monks look on with detached curiosity. Several tourists, however,
are upset. A man, undoubtedly an American, rips off his coat and
shoes in the chilly morning air and plunges into the pond. He
executes a perfect racing dive slicing the green water like a bayonet.
He swims to Richard Nixon, turns him over, wraps his arm around
his chest and hauls him to shore. The tourists cheer. The monks look
on.
When asked about world affairs
He demurs. He knows
All antagonisms are ingested
By time. He knows
The shrieks from Cambodia
Are just bones.
He has achieved this distance
92