THE leaves begin to
fall—and lie where they fall,
in the garden grass
[S.H.]
WAS it all a dream—
I mean those old bygone days—
were they what they seemed?
All night long I lie awake
listening to autumn rain.
[S.H.]
WHAT might I leave you
as my lasting legacy—
flowers in springtime,
the cuckoo singing all summer,
the yellow leaves of autumn.
[S.H.]
TO kindle a fire,
the autumn winds have piled
a few dead leaves
[S.H.]
RYŌKAN, if
anyone should ask, had
these last words for the world:
Namu Amida Butsu—
and offered nothing more.
[S.H.]