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Monday, March 5, 2012

Although the wind


(Number 10, Art Print Poster by Mark
Rothko, 1903-1970, American artist)

Poets, especially, know how to point out apparent contradictions that reveal a truth, as did Emily Dickinson when she wrote, “Who never lost, are unprepared / A Coronet to find.”

Although the wind
blows terribly here,
the moonlight
also leaks
between the roof planks
of this ruined house.

~ Izumi Shikibu (circa 974-1034), Japanese poet

1 comment:

Tabatha said...

That is one of my favorite Shikibu poems. Also:

Sleeplessly
I watch over
the spring night­
but no amount of guarding
is enough to make it stay.