No Divisions
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
Tokonama no
Botan no yami ya
Hototogisu
~ Shiki
The darkness of the alcove
Where the peonies are;
A hototogisu sings.
Arrangement versus nature in the mind
Shifts. Peonies are placed together in
A tokonama space. Aligned they are
In art and yet the difference is thin
Between their nature, vase, and artist’s aim,
Transparent, clearer than the walls of white,
Of rice divides. The artful work to tame
The elements of nature leaves just slight
Distinctions in between the blooms, the wood,
And walls…and then floats in the liquid song
Of one slight bird through whitest walls that stood
Between the bird and blossoms. What is strong
Here? It is unity, transcendental
Enlightenment, almost sacramental.
Japan’s Heart and Culture: Tokonoma Peony Tokonoma of Chashitsu.jpg