Ink Monkey Replies

To those who question
My existence, I concede
I’m nothing much on the way

To nothing at all.
I confess I am often
Gnomic, epigrammatic,

Declarative, sarcastic,
Dark, obscure, xuanxue—
Rarely expressive

Of warm emotions,
Not often illustrated
With bright images.

I drink ink and rest in your
Brushpots, make nests in your drawers.