Gloomy Clouds

The moon, I’m sure
Is shining brightly
High above the mountains
But gloomy clouds
Shroud the peak in darkness
-Teishin

You must rise above
The gloomy clouds
Covering the mountaintop
Otherwise, how will you
Ever see the brightness?
-Ryokan

“At the age of 70 Ryōkan met a young female Zen student named Teishin. Although she was only 28 their bond was deep and they wrote several love poems to each other. As Ryōkan lay dying Teishin came to him and held him until he died.” https://artofwonder.org/2014/11/14/forgetting-the-moon-the-poetry-of-ryokan/amp/

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