Basho An

The whole world condensed

to three lines, 5-7-5

Buddha beats of mind.

 

Meld of runneled water and

thin air, time’s mist unwinding.

 

A winter wren chirps,

a lulling breeze of wisdom,

centuries native

 

yen to know the moon’s mystique,

what is/what is not/just is.

 

The itinerant

keeper swaddled under brace

of simplest straw thatch

 

speaks to those who will listen,

seek harmony, not answers.

Ken e Bujold 

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

You have done a poundish presentation of capturing the essence of speech and thought patterns of asia, a remarkable achievement in its own right. The one thing about the asian forms is the language gap, how especially Japanese is more suited to haiku than is English. You managed to walk that tightrope.

Winston

[Ken e Bujold]

thanks. happened to come across a picture of basho's hut, which i have been to, and it sparked a thought. This is what could be the first of a series i think.
i've had a rather profound thought, which i want to explore. How to meld the ancients, greek latin chinese and japanese in particular to a modernist view. Not so much like pound, whose work was more translative in nature, but exploration of forms and themes in Ashbery-Williams-Muldoon-Bernhard manner. Freewheeling word play grafted to traditional boxes if you will. Not sure how yet, but shall see, and have some fun with it.

[W. Barrett Munn]

It's always great to find a theme that is of interest. Best of fortunes with it.

Winston

[willweb]

Wouldn't it be fun or funny or strange or confusing if every time we spoke it was in short 5-7-5 verses?
Hi, how have you been?
I've been great, how about you?
Not too bad at all.

I wonder if anyone would even notice or...if we already do so and just didn't notice.

[Ken e Bujold]

:) do love how your mind works my friend.

strictly speaking though, this little ditty is a rift on Japan's most famous poet, Matsuo Basho and the traditional japanese form of renku, which is alternating verses of 3 lines 5-7-5 followed by 2 lines of 7. Basho An is the makeshift shelter Basho once stayed in just outside Kyoto. while i am not a Buddhist i have enjoyed many (including this one) of Japan's temples. there is a remarkable tranquility that surrounds them. anytime i am in the land of rising sun i always find time to visit at least one near where i am staying.

[willweb]

That sounds mesmerizing to me. Not sure I will ever have the opportunity to visit but it sounds like a place dreams are made of.