Read an Excerpt
PO
CHU-I
(772–846)
After
Reading Lao Tzu
"One
who speaks does not know; one who knows does not speak."
Thus
I have been instructed by the Old Master.
If
you tell me the Old Master was one who knew, I ask,
Why
did he write five thousand words to explain it?
Invitation
to Liu the 19th
Clear,
fresh, Lu-yi sake
warms
on my little stove.
This
evening sky may bring snow.
Come
enjoy a cup with me.
LIU
TSUNG-YUAN
(773–819)
Snowy
River
The
birds have vanished
from
a thousand mountains.
On
a thousand trails,
not
a single human sign.
A
little boat,
a
bamboo hat and cloak—
the
old man, alone,
fishing
the snowy river.
MATSUO
BASHO
(1644–1682)
Selected
Haiku
Under
full blossom—
a
spirited monk and
a
flirtatious wife
Within
the skylark's song—
the
distinct rhythm of
the
pheasant's cry
Kannon's
tiled temple
roof
floats far away in clouds
of
cherry blossoms
How
very noble!
One
who finds no satori
in
the lightning flash
