Thursday, November 19, 2009

peacefully within

shiro kasamatsu moon at matsushima


it's cold this night in autumn's third month,
peacefully within, a lone old man.
he lies down late, the lamp already gone out,
and beautifully sleeps amid the sound of rain.
the ash inside the vessel still warm from the fire,
its fragrance increases the warmth of quilt and covers.
when dawn comes, clear and cold, he does not rise,
the red frosted leaves cover the steps.


shufu miyamoto autumn leaves at temple gate

24 comments:

Margaret Pangert said...

Hi Steven~ Such gentle words. If the old man were to die, such a gentle passage he had. As he fell asleep late, it is logical that he might sleep in late. So many red leaves, the red of life, and if so, it carried this man well. A beautiful, dignified story.

Kathleen said...

Oh, Steven, this is just stunning. I'm not familiar with bai juyi or shufu miyamoto. thank you for the introductions!

Titus said...

steven - that second painting! Thank you, thank you!

Jinksy said...

Stunning pictures, not to mention words!

Jenny Stevning said...

This is the second time this week when your blog entry has left me speechless and just floating. So my comment is really this ************. That will be what I will leave when I don't have words, but want to acknowledge the place I am in from your choice of images and words. Yes? Good? Thanks!

Golden West said...

Really outstanding artwork, Steven. Thanks for sharing!

Tess Kincaid said...

Beautiful, Steven. Actually, it's been extremely mild down here in my neck of the woods this fall.

ellen abbott said...

steven, I love it when you post those japanese prints.

Friko said...

Extraordinary beautiful!

I have also just read your last post - steven, you are truly a good man, a poet and a joy to know.

"It would e unwise to pass up such an opportunity"
A thought to remember.

steven said...

hello friko - thankyou. i'm just me. really truly. this is all i know to be! i'm graced by excellent and beautiful people in my family as well as my analogue and digital lives! my work as a teacher is really hard. if you know a teacher give them a hug - they so badly need one! i have issues, but i wake up each morning and know in my heart that i'm incredibly fortunate because i can offer everyone in my life something of what i know as goodness. i'm just me. all i wish is for this world to recognize all the goodness there is freely available no matter how crappy your life might be. it's about love. thanks for your lovely comments here. they are so energizing and happy making!!! steven

steven said...

ellen - i love them so much they make me ache in my heart. i cannot believe how talented and insightful and honest these artists were. they fill me. really they do. have a lovely evening. steven

steven said...

hey willow- it's been relatively mild here as well. dipping down to seven below (celsius) at night and then up around seven to twelve during the day so i am not complaining. i dress for it. i expect it. i figure im lucky. have a sweet evening at the manor. steven

steven said...

hey golden west thankyou for appreciating the fine work of people i wish i knew or had known!!!! steven

steven said...

jenny stevning - leave stars! that's very very cool and good!!! steven

steven said...

oh jinksy they're so very good all 'round aren't they? i wonder if perhaps my connection to these japanese artists and writers is a feature of reincarnation or simply a matter of my lifelong wish to be immersed in beauty? hmmmm!!! steven

steven said...

titus isn't it incredibly good!!!! i was stunned into staring at the screen when i saw it. it is absolutely filled with all that i feel and think when i let autumn into my self. thanks. steven

steven said...

kathleen aren't they good!!! i'm glad you are her to shout out your appreciation!!!! yayyyyy!! steven

steven said...

margaret - you see through the surface and know the steps into the thinking so well. how is that?! have a peaceful evening. steven

Stacey J. Warner said...

beautiful words and pictures...

much love

Anonymous said...

A long time ago when I was 20 years old, I spent a lot of time a Matsushima, Japan. Your first picture reminds me of those days.

steven said...

thankyou for the compliment and the love stacey j warner! steven

steven said...

abe i'm loving your blog - it's been an inspiration to me on many a day when i've woken up unsure and empty. you see and share the essence of who tyou are and what you value. so thankyou. steven

Lisa Ursu said...

Gosh that second painting is spectacular. I walked each of those steps in my mind.
Thanks for sharing Steven.

Anonymous said...

I'm so thrilled to have come across this oasis of a blog. I wanted to thank you for slowing me down for half and hour while I looked at your lovely images and savoured the beautiful words.