Classic Poetry - (Look, It cannot be Seen by Lao Tzu)

Look, It Cannot be Seen

Look, it cannot be seen - it is beyond form.
Listen, it cannot be heard - it is beyond sound.
Grasp, it cannot be held - it is intangible.
These three are indefinable, they are one.

From above it is not bright;
From below it is not dark:
Unbroken thread beyond description.
It returns to nothingness.
Form of the formless,
Image of the imageless,
It is called indefinable and beyond imagination.

Stand before it - there is no beginning.
Follow it and there is no end.
Stay with the Tao, Move with the present.

Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao.

~ Lao Tzu

Here is a classic poem that not many may know.  We have gone a way from the old brits and english and read a bit from the father of Taosim. What are your thoughts on this poem?  What are your thoughts on Lao Tzu? Do you have any poems or anything else written by him you prefer? Please feel free to share your thoughts on either the poem or Lao Tzu in the comment section below.


Poets United posts a classic poem once weekly. We want to do this to introduce classic poets and their poems to our members. It is also a way to display different styles, genres and approaches to poetry. Our intent is to further expand the world of poetry while educating ourselves.


If you have a classic poem or set of prose you are fond of please let us know by emailing it to us at poetsunited@ymail.com