The hippo floats in swamp serene

some emerged, but most unseen

Seeing all and only blinking

Who knows what this beast is thinking.

Gliding, and of judgment clear,

Letting go and being here.

…I sit here hippo-like and breathe,

While inside I storm and seethe.

Would that I were half equanimous

As that placid hippopotamus.

By Steven Hickman