Ryokan Haiku Poetry -- A Collection of Poems

[Poemsapennyeach]

Can't read the words

[thedreamingseed]

beautiful ryokan x how I would have loved to spend a morning with him over tea and sky x

[acqua313]

Great poetry, great soul, great voice. Thankyou

[akinasukizakura]

いい声

[aymkarma]

I wish I could read the subtitles. Sad...

[setheh]

Beautiful interpretation. It's so nice to hear His poems in His native language, even if I can't read the subtitles (too small).

[evermindro]

Mesmerizing...

[soldierballack]

can anyone write the full version of "the thief left it behind at my window" in eglish?i'm looking for it but i cant find anywhere..

[ChRoMaStOnE561]

Doesn't a Haiku poem have 5 syllables on 1st and 3rd, 7 syllables in 2nd line??

[ybambi]

Yes, but not always when you translate them. Also in japanese there are not syllables, but moras: units of sound

[bilstew]

Eucalyptus sways.

Cruel Hibernian winds,

are taking their tolls.

HAIKU in 5-7-5

[bilstew]

This is Minimalist Poetry and in my opinion the quintessence of the art. The meditative thread runs within it.

[BertrandDeBorn]

Well, I guess that's the poems :-) (I've never understood why YouTube sometimes places the reply below the person you reply to and sometimes above seemingly out-of-context...)

Anyway, I hope this will increase your enjoyment of Ryokan and of the videos. As the author says: it is meant to be seen on a larger screen. I have and it is ;-) I can thoroughly recommend buying the DVD(s), I certainly haven't regretted doing so and, no, I'm some familial relation or business partner of the author!!!

[BertrandDeBorn]

oh, doh! I meant: "I'm _not_ some familial relation..." Sorry if any confusion.

[bilstew]

can still understand but think just simply the word" family " is better..Regards and best wishes.

[poppymu]

i'm unable to see the subtitles at all - isn't it possible to fix it?

[BertrandDeBorn]

Can't say I can fix the original as it's not mine, but I can write out the text together with elapsed timings from the beginning for the poems. If people do not know the "Great Fool" Ryokan Zen poet, then this is, IMHO, as very good way to learn :-)

[BertrandDeBorn]

Poem 1:

(0:13) Listening to the silent sound

(0:17) of the moss-covered stream

(0:23) I feel myself grow as calm and transparent

(0:28) as the soundless sound of the covered current

[BertrandDeBorn]

Titles:

(0:38) a selection of short poems

(1:03) Ryokan

(1:05) 18th Century

[BertrandDeBorn]

Poem 2:

(1:13) Living alone in the woods where few visitors cast shadows

(1:22) how clean and clear I find the moon

(1:27) beaming so quiet in the blue.

[BertrandDeBorn]

Poem 3:

(1:47) Each maple leaf,

(1:52) fluttering away, one and all

(1:58) showing it's face and back.

[BertrandDeBorn]

Poem 4:

(2:23) Could the pine trees speak

(2:27) Standing on the hill at dusk

(2:33) I would ask of them

(2:37) the things of the by-gone days

[BertrandDeBorn]

Poem 5:

(3:05) How desolate my life here is

(3:11) But how transparent my mind is

(3:19) just as I spend each day

(3:24) as it comes and goes

[BertrandDeBorn]

Poem 6:

(3:44) In the world of dreams,

(3:49) I've been dreaming on and on.

(3:55) And upon waking up,

(3:59) how loneliness pierces me.

[BertrandDeBorn]

Poem 7:

(4:18) In the world,  things appearing to exist

(4:25) will pass away

(4:29) one by one.

(4:33) How long shall I remain lamenting?

[BertrandDeBorn]

Poem 8:

(4:48) If one asks

(4:52) what goes on inside this monk,

(4:56) pray answer as follows:

(5:00) "Nothing but what a passing wind whispers"

[dkadagian]

thank you for taking the time to post the english text. For some reason, the subtitles didn't translate although did in another poem that's been posted.

[brangiefan]

With a bigger text this would be great.

[dkadagian]

For some reason, the subtitles didn't come through clearly. Another poem - Puedo Escribir, came through clearly - I think because that was a simple black and white background. These films should really be seen on a big screen with great sound. They have much greater impact than can be experienced in this format. Glad you liked it.

[alejandre321]

I do not understand the words, but your poem gets to me. It's great. The universality of poetry transcends language.

[zenpoet123]

beautifully restful zen poet

[michael1liz]

hi there:)

i like this alot. just sadly the subtitles don't get through very well... is there a way i can find the text?

[efemerum]

So...so beautiful!!!

Thank you for sharing.

[franscafe1]

Thank you..