there's something so essential in this little place where a tree wraps its roots around a beautiful pink rock. there's so much age contained in the rock and so much knowledge in the tree.
ryokan allowed himself to become a part of a similar essence . . .
"in my youth i put aside my studies
and i aspired to be a saint.
living austerely as a mendicant monk,
i wandered here and there for many springs.
finally i returned home to settle under a craggy peak.
i live peacefully in a grass hut,
listening to the birds for music.
clouds are my best neighbors.
below a pure spring where i refresh body and mind;
above, towering pines and oaks that provide shade and brushwood.
free, so free, day after day --
i never want to leave!"
you might like to visit my other blog "flow"
Hi Steven
ReplyDeleteI love this poem by Ryokan..
It is so simple yet for me evokes such pulling, powerful feelings.
- what a feeling of freedom - and I could visualize the Japanese scenery too...
and I don't know him so now you have sent me on another mission - to learn about Ryokan the poet. Thank you so much...
A little blessing in every day!
Happy Days
hi delwyn, thanks for visiting! when i read this poem i had such an amazing experience - right inside the words and the images of the japanese landscape. and i never wanted to leave the poem. i love its sincerity and its simplicity. and most of all i love how it speaks to me each time i read it!!! peace fullness . . . . . .
ReplyDeletesteven