October 03rd, 2023
Gensei (1623-1668)
Forest trees stripped in autumn,
An ancient Buddhist temple,
Where mists from the waters are deepest,
Dark even in daytime.
The magnificent hall weathered,
Red and green pain peeled off;
The pond meant to bring merit gone dry,
Only lotuses left.
On the silver-leafed panel still remaining,
Shumbo’s writing;
The golden countenance untouched by time,
Jocho’s handiwork.
The old Cloister of the Southern Springs-
Where is it now?
Not a soul's passing this way,
Evening winds are chill.