Autumn Sadness

Sadness

The unspoiled colors of a late summer night,

The wind howling through the loft pines –

The feel of autumn approaching;

The swaying bamboos keep resonating,

And shedding tears of dew at dawn;

Only those who exert themselves fully

Will attain the Way,

But even if you abandon all for the ancient path

of meditation,

You can never forget the meaning of sadness.

~ A Zen Poem from Master Dogen Zenji 道元禪師


Chinese calligraphy: "Autumn", sumi ink rice paper. The size is 12 by 15 in.


"The Zen Poetry of Dogen", Steven Heine, p.133-134