Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom
Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Friday, April 20, 2012

Ryokan (1758-1831)




First days of spring -- the sky
by Ryokan
(1758 - 1831) Timeline

English version by
Stephen Mitchell

Original Language
Japanese
Buddhist : Zen / Chan

18th Century



First days of spring -- the sky
is bright blue, the sun huge and warm.
Everything's turning green.
Carrying my monk's bowl, I walk to the village
to beg for my daily meal.
The children spot me at the temple gate
and happily crowd around,
dragging to my arms till I stop.
I put my bowl on a white rock,
hang my bag on a branch.
First we braid grasses and play tug-of-war,
then we take turns singing and keeping a kick-ball in the air:
I kick the ball and they sing, they kick and I sing.
Time is forgotten, the hours fly.
People passing by point at me and laugh:
"Why are you acting like such a fool?"
I nod my head and don't answer.
I could say something, but why?
Do you want to know what's in my heart?
From the beginning of time: just this! just this!



2 comments:

  1. I appreciate the extra detail

    ReplyDelete
  2. Peaceful scenery of one spring day! He loved children and left many wonderful episodes.
    Have a great weekend.
    keiko

    ReplyDelete