Tag: Ryokan

  • Winter …

    Winter–in the eleventh month Snow falls thick and fast. A thousand mountains, one color. Men of the world passing this way are few. Dense grass conceals the door. All night in silence, a few woodchips burn slowly As I read the poems of the ancients. –Ryokan (Japan, 1758-1831)

  • Winter approaches …

    We’re in the deep-freeze here in New York, just in time for winter, which officially starts next week.  The poetry of Ryōkan (Japan, 18th century) calls for my attention: “Returning to my hermitage after a journey to distant mountain villages; Along the fence, the last chrysanthemums linger” –translated by John Stevens