Tanka I–VIII

I Could I but retrace The winding stairs fate built me. They fell from my feet. Now I stand on the high round. Down beneath height above depth— II Through the eyes of life I looked in at my own heart: A long furrowed field Grown cement waiting for seed Baking in desolation. III. Drink in moods of joy! Why should the sky be lonely? Neither sun nor moon— How my heart is shy of night Like Autumn’s leaf brown pendants IV Cold against the sky The blue jays cried at dawning. The larks where are they? Heavily upon the air My ears tuned in to listen. V So this is the reed? The very pips for singing— Life plays me new songs. Wistfully from out the dawn The crows broke across the sky! VI And now Spring has come Blossoming up my garden. I alone unchanged, Moving in my house of Autumn. One leaf alone saves a tree. VII By the pool of life Willows are drooping tonight I can see no stars. What dances in the water? O my clouds dripping with tears. VIII Could I hear your voice O but this silence is sweet Words mar all beauty. Turn then into your own heart And pluck the roots from the soil—