Sayings of the Wise Shang-ti

During Shang-ti's inception, his father was reading bad haiku and his mother was frightened by Edgar A. Guest peeping through the window. The product of a conflicted childhood, Shang-ti retreated to the highest point in Tallahassee (Macdonald's yellow arch) and proclaimed himself the Guru of Fast Food and Heartburn. Scrawling on the backs of Big Mac wrappers, he leaves this legacy.

drink deep the nectar
said the wise Shang-ti
but wash the cup

even the finest nectar
said the wise Shang-ti
leaves the cracked cup

even if you capture an angel
said the wise Shang-ti
fancy will provide imperfections

better an imperfect love
said the wise Shang-ti
than a perfect memory

if you remember her flaws
said the wise Shang-ti
they become yours

if your memory is weak
said the wise Shang-ti
speak loudly

if your memory is weak
said the wise Shang-ti
avoid strong drink

avoid all things
said the wise Shang-ti
stronger than your memory

a poor memory improves friends
said the wise Shang-ti
but multiplies enemies

memory complicates truth
said the wise Shang-ti
and simplifies hatred

if your truth makes enemies
said the wise Shang-ti
seek more truths

a treasured truth narrows the mind
said the wise Shang-ti
admitting others broadens it

if a whale swallows a man
said the wise Shang-ti
only the whale smiles

if a man swallows a whale
said the wise Shang-ti
neither is pleased

cracked congregations
said the wise Shang-ti
seek the sound of cracked bells

cracked bells
said the wise Shang-ti
fill cracked temples

the eye that has not cried
said the wise Shang-ti
cannot see beauty

a maiden yields but once
said the wise Shang-ti
but done well, it lasts

even the best coffee
said the wise Shang-ti
cannot choose its cup

is a woman philosophical about love
asks the wise Shang-ti
is the fish philosophical about water

I do not surpass the ancients
said the wise Shang-ti
I pursue them

If you have wisdom to share with Shang-ti, let him know.

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updated 001223