Still My Heart Was Empty Poem by Ravi Kopra

I had all the riches in the world
I could live in luxury
go anywhere, buy anything
I thought I was the high and mighty
still my heart was empty.

I gave up everything
became indifferent to prosperity
came to live in a mountain hut
overlooking the vast sea.

I see the fish swim in the spring water
swallows dancing in the east wind
lotus hearts floating in the pond
I hear willows rhyming in the wind.

The deer come to see me in the morning
take carrots from my hands for breakfast
little bunnies bounce around in my garden
full of roses, hibiscus, chrysanthemums, jasmine.

The roosters wake me up with their calls
I don't need no watches, no alarm clocks
a murmuring stream flows near my garden
I built a Buddha shrine there under a tree.

In the deep valley below, cherry blossoms bloom
I meditate, I go for walks, I swim in the ocean
friends come to visit me, we talk, laugh, drink wine
lie down under the moon, read poetry, have good times
I find happiness here the riches could not find.