Ever active is my mind        

Constantly nagging at my conscious 

And subconscious

In vain I try to halt it 

When I need a moment 

of Zen emptiness

So I try to meditate 

But my mind becomes inpatient 

And floods me with more thoughts

 

In joyful occasions 

I hear it whispers                                   

Happiness is transient

Freedom is never free  

In sorrowful time

It cautions me

Worse misfortunes are lurking

Even in my slumber

My mind tries to  

Work out issues in my life 

In a mysterious way

Leaving me with vivid dreams 

And conflicting thoughts 

But I will not be pessimistic 

Or fall into worry or despair

I will choose the middle way

And with my will 

Overcome the excesses of the mind

By Shih-Fang Wang

From: United States