Sunday, June 12, 2005

Like Mountain Snow

Take some time today with Ryokan:

In the distance
frogs croak in the mountain rice fields,
The evening's single song.

~~~

Unable to sleep,
I hear the voice of a young deer
Rising from a mountain ridge.

~~~

The branches that will be used for this
autumn's firewood are still blooming.
Please gather some summer grasses, wet with dew,
and come visit me.

~~~

Not much to offer you—
just a lotus flower floating
In a small jar of water.

~~~

In the pond near my hut
the lotus flowers, covered with dew,
Bloom in a row.

~~~

The willows are in full bloom!
I want to pile up the blossoms
Like mountain snow.

_____________

Medusa