January 09th, 2020
Ryokan (1758-1831)On a bitterly cold November night
The snow fell thick and fast.
First like hard grains of salt,
Then more like soft willow buds.
The flakes settled quietly on the bamboo
And piled up pleasingly on the pine branches.
Rather than turning to old texts,
The darkness makes me feel like
Composing my own verse.