Friday 26 August 2011

Basho

I want to share with you a haiku by Basho this morning.

I am quoting from the introduction of a book entitled 'On Love and Barley--Haiku of Basho' translated from Japanese by Lucien Stryk (Penguin Books):

It is night. Imagine, if you will, a path leading to a hut lost in a wildly growing arbour, shaded by the basho, a wide-leafed banana tree rare to Japan. A sliding door opens: an eager-eyed man in monk's robe steps out, surveys his shadowy thicket and the purple outline of a distant mountain, bends his head to catch the rush of river just beyond; then, looking up at the sky, pauses a while, and claps his hands. Three hundred years pass--the voice remains fresh and exciting as that moment.

Summer moon--
clapping hands,
I herald dawn.

Why I want to share this poem is because I feel it is possible to experience each morning as fresh as it really is...Born anew each morning; born anew each moment.

Have a great day!

*****

10 comments:

~*. D E E P A .* ~ said...

every day is a new day, eh Maashe ?

hope you are having a superb day !

Arun Meethale Chirakkal said...

Anew, everyday, without having to carry the burdens of yesterday. Beautiful Venu Chettan, and thanks for sharing it.

P. Venugopal said...

every day is a new day, Deepa, Arun, but we ordinary people never let go of yesterday :-)

off said...

very good

kochuthresiamma p .j said...

not just the day. it's possible enjoy each mment as fresh - - -

P. Venugopal said...

you are right, madam, born again each moment.

Deepa said...

in a way ...in a way, how we dealt with our 'yesterday' defines our today ! what say ?

P. Venugopal said...

yesterday brings us to today, today takes us to tomorrow...you are right Deepa...a good way of looking at it.

Deepa said...

and our experiences from yesterday shape the path we take today ... !

P. Venugopal said...

unless we learn the trick of coming to the moment totally, being potentially and dynamically at the moment and at the place. here and now. without the baggage of thoughts (from experiences) and without the baggage of schemes for the future...with only the urge to burn brightly.

it is a difficult proposition, Deepa. i am not equipped to discuss the topic in full depth, which is fathomless.