Who anointed Basho with curses of wandering,
Who bade him lay down in fields all flowering.
Who commanded him sleep while sakura blossomed,
Who told him to wait winter out while spring it floundered?
Who gave voice to the plover, the keening of the loon?
Who invited him to stare into darkness only to find the moon?
Who saw him stand alone on the beach of Narumi,
Who drove him to the capital on roads long and snowy?
Who secured my rest, my shadow unfrozen
Who set me on horseback and undug the garden?
Who circled the hawk and laid down the lamb?
Who saved the rabbit, who can?
Who can?
Basho and other poets taught me to listen (as in ‘to observe, both inwardly and outwardly). I can’t find the exact words (in translation) of a Japanese poem, possible haiku, that goes something like this: “Here I am feeling sorry for my self, yet there is the moon taking me across the sky…”
I have had a little look for Basho poems starting with ずっと (all the while )…sora (sky) and tsuki (moon)…but so far drawing a blank…Ill keep looking…Maybe not our friend Basho, I think…
Who taught me to listen?
…life….
?
Basho and other poets taught me to listen (as in ‘to observe, both inwardly and outwardly). I can’t find the exact words (in translation) of a Japanese poem, possible haiku, that goes something like this: “Here I am feeling sorry for my self, yet there is the moon taking me across the sky…”
I will have a little look for it in the Japanese version, Ron…see if I can’t find it!
Thanks. I remember a specific phrase. “all the while…”
Im onto it, Ron!
I have had a little look for Basho poems starting with ずっと (all the while )…sora (sky) and tsuki (moon)…but so far drawing a blank…Ill keep looking…Maybe not our friend Basho, I think…
I looked quickly through my Basho book, forward and back, and didn’t see it. I’ve got many Japanese and Zen poetry books. Thanks for trying…
It will turn up one day, at just the right time.