Quotes from Shinkichi Takahashi

The wind blows hard among the pines Toward the beginning Of an endless past. Listen: you've heard everything.

A Wood in Sound The pine tree sways in the smoke, Which streams up and up. There's a wood in sound. My legs lose themselves Where the river mirrors daffodils Like faces in a dream. A cold wind and the white memory Of a sasanqua. Warm rain comes and goes. I'll wait calmly on the bank Till the water clears And willows start to bud. Time is singed on the debris Of air raids. Somehow, here and now, I am another.

Trees everywhere, and buds About to burst in sunlight, Which makes a river of the snow.

Stillness A cock crows and someone Strums a koto. Nothing's wanting. In the midst of this stillness, I'm still. Could I catch it, I'd drop That butterfly into my mouth.

Life Infinite Beyond words, this no-thingness within, Which I've become. So to remain Only one thing's needed: Zen sitting. I think, breathe with my whole body - Marvellous. The joy's so pure, It's beyond lovemaking, anything. I can see, live anywhere, everywhere. I need nothing, not even life.

We can behold them. The sparrow stirs, The universe moves slightly.

Cloud I'm cheerful, whatever happens, a puff in sky -- what splendor exists, I'm there.

Rain The rain keeps falling, Even in my dreams. The skull leaks badly. There's a constant dripping Down the back. The rain, which no one Remembers starting, Keeps falling, Even on the finest days.

Time Time like a lake breeze Touched his face, All thought left his mind. One morning the sun, menacing, Rose from behind a mountain, Singeing -like hope- the trees. Full awakened, he lit his pipe And assumed the sun-inhaling pose: Time poured down - like rain, like fruit. He glanced back and saw a ship Moving towards the past. In one hand He gripped the sail to eternity, And stuffed the universe into his eyes.