Japanese Hokku

I. Life goes by moving, Up and down a chain of moods Wanting what’s nothing. II. My soul is the wind Dashing down fields of Autumn: O, too swift to sing. III. Listen to the rain Falling broken on the ground: Pity the sky once. IV. Knowing not at all Who stands above me seeing: Tears of gratitude. V The nightingale sings My heart desires but the night Space swallows my voice: VI. I shall spend my moods Like a rose discards leaves And die without moods. VII. Did you say a sound? Did you say the wind? Dashing Only my soul’s quick— VIII. O moon of to-night Let me rest my head on you And hear my life sing. IX. My ears burn for speech And you lie cold and silent Supinely cruel: X. Look at the white moon The sphinx does not question more. Turn away your eyes. XI. Thought that is no thought Poems buried in my heart Song that is no song … XII The poetry of life? No, the picture of my dreams Flashing on my heart. XIII I ride down the stream Between the earth and the sun On the moon’s shadow. XIV Treading wearily A unit of the parade There is no escape. XV. Within the shadow I am weaving the pattern Of a spider web. XVI My heart like a shell Moans at the breast of the earth Being too full to sing. XVII You are life’s fountain Springing from eternity Flow not recklessly. XVIII I will wrap the song In the leaves of the lotus And send it to you. XIX No words speak louder Than the tragic look of eyes Close yours out of love. XX Why should I wander I who have known no surprise? Every day the same.