the enlightened possess understanding

so profound they can not be understood.

because they cannot be understood

i can only describe their appearance:

cautious as one crossing thin ice,

undecided as one surrounded by danger,

modest as one who is a guest,

unbounded as melting ice,

genuine as unshaped wood,

broad as a valley,

seamless as muddy water.

who stills the water that the mud may settle,

who seeks to stop that he may travel on,

who desires less than may transpire,

decays, but will not renew.