Heart Mountain Bungei: Free Verse Poetry
Although Japanese poems are typically divided into separate lines when translated into English, this is a translation convention. Haiku, senryū and tanka are usually written as a single line in the original Japanese. Many of our translators chose to keep the single line format, but not all of them did.
First Day of Winter
Boundless… When we stand still Inside the quiet gray Of the Rockies— Not a single sound Breaks the silence The canal that long ago meandered Here through the plains...
Read Full PieceSnow (A Nursery Rhyme)
This morning when I woke and looked White white snow! On the mountain ridges On the road Everywhere bright white piled high Last night after Everyone had gone to...
Read Full PieceReturn to the Land
“Return to the land, love the land!” This voice full of longing—from where does it come? From the other side of the faraway sky? From the ends of this unbroken...
Read Full PieceFriendship
Even in the sudden gust of wind Sweeping up sediment in a maddening whirl —There is something for you Even in the tree with no shadow To intercept the punishing...
Read Full PieceMeadow of Light
The eastern sky and high plains awaken together with the little birds The fresh morning light and trailing clouds shine Awaken ...
Read Full Piece