Surrounded by darkness
Recently I bought a copy of One Hundred Poems from the Japanese: poems selected and translated by 
Kenneth Rexroth. Years ago I borrowed this book from the library and loved it, but at the time I didn’t have spare money to spend on books.
Reading these clear and heartfelt short poems is to wander in a different world: a world of underground passion, verbal precision and appreciation of small things, many with wide implications.
My favourite so far is:
I go out of darkness
Onto a road of darkness
Lit only by the far off
Moon on the edge of the mountains.
This has the human condition so right in so few words: where do we come from? where do we go?
The original was written by Izumi, who I suppose is the same person as Lady Izumi Shikibu. She was a lady in waiting at the Imperial court in the tenth to eleventh century. Apparently writing poetry was a popular activity for courtiers at the time.
Would that the fashion had spread and endured. If our political scene contained more poets who knows what it might achieve.
Cover art from New Directions publisher.
e a m harris 
I can see why you may have loved Shikibu’s lovely short poem (I ordered Rexroth’s collection from My library/ Thanx)
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the collection when it comes.
LikeLike
Japanese poetries are amazing, i have read only translations, but still..
LikeLike
I too can only read it in translation. I would love to read the original.
LikeLike
Super, thank you for sharing, I most certainly have to put this book on my to have list!
groetjes, Francina
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I think you’ll find the book well worth getting. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
LikeLike
Thank you for reminding me about this book. I have an old copy buried under a stack of books. It’s time to excavate!
LikeLike
Happy excavating, may you find much treasure. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
LikeLike