Excavation

Excavation
This that we speak of can never be found by seeking, yet only seekers find it.
—Al Bastami, born 804 CE

This phrase haunted,
lived inside my chest

For two years
I snugged it close,
this koan, reckoned  
with the felt meaning
sensing it held truth
but couldn’t tell you why

A patient excavation,
I breathed it, pondered,
but not with thought
Lobbed it 
into the big field
Light splintered 
the kernel inside

The tight bud flowered
releasing its perfume 
the aching aroma of love