Slopes

of Mount Kugami—

in the mountain's shade

a hut beneath the trees—

how many years

it's been my home?

The time comes

to take leave of it—

my thoughts wilt

like summer grasses,

I wander back and forth

like the evening star—

till that hut of mine

is hidden from sight,

till that grove of trees

can no longer be seen,

at each bend

of the long road,

at every turning,

I turn to look back

in the direction of that mountain


- Ryokan

Photo of a garden in Hakone, illustration of Yuki Neko,
and composite image by DLO.

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