Basho's poem about the moon glow and the drifting clouds makes me think about the Buddhist teaching of the Two Truths. However, I wanted to know what other people thought. So I asked and what I learned was pretty fascinating.
Exploring Basho’s Moon
Mountain Home: The Wilderness Poetry of Ancient China by David Hinton
In Mountain Home: The Wilderness Poetry of Ancient China, David Hinton traces the rivers-and-mountains tradition from its origins in the 5th century C.E. to the Sung Dynasty (13th century). "Fundamentally different from the writing that employs the ‘natural world' as the stage or materials for human concerts, this poetry articulates a profound and spiritual sense of belonging to a wilderness of truly awesome dimensions."
Poems about Snow
I remember when I first learned that the Inuit have around 50 words for snow. At that time, my understanding of snow was limited. Now I know that there is so much more to know about snow including the poetry.
Poems About the Moon
From Li Bai, to Kobayashi Issa, to Wallace Stevens, poets across time have tried to capture the moon’s mysterious nature into verse. Today we have seven examples of the moon’s presence in the poetic form.
Micro-Season: “The First Camellia Blossoms”
"The First Camellia Blossoms” is the first micro-season of mini season First Winter. The Camellia flower, also known as Tsubaki, has a unique connection to poetry and literature in both Japan and the United States.
Poems About Owls
The owl, with its nocturnal lifestyle and distinct appearance has made it the perfect subject for poetry. Today we have poems from Issa, Alan Watts, Emily Dickinson, and many more.
Poems for Halloween
Halloween’s roots have always had something to do with celebrating and connecting with the dead. It is in this liminal space between earth and the spirit world where we find the inspiration for today's poems.
Poetry and the Isle of Skye with Sue Wood
Today we have an interview with author, artist, and poet Sue Wood. Sue talks with us about nature, the Isle of Skye, her new book, and shares a couple of poems.
The Poetry of October and the Star of Aldebaran
When the Hunter's Moon begins to recede, the planets, stars, and constellations begin to fill up the night sky. It is these other heavenly elements that have made their way into today's poems by Robinson Jeffers, William Alexander Percy, and Winifred M. Letts.
Micro-Season: “The Grasshopper Sings”
An early frost may threaten the grasshopper and the crickets may find a way into your home. Poets Yoshino Yoshiko and Hazel Hall remind us that there is still work to do during this season.
Porches and Sitting Rooms
The porch is this amazing human creation that allows us to be outside, yet maintain the safety of the indoors. Charlie Hailey, in a recent essay printed in Orion Magazine, provides us with an exploration into how the porch can be a doorway between us and the natural world.
Poems about Chrysanthemums
The Chrysanthemum has found its way into the poetry of ancient China, Japan, and 1900s England. Here is a collection of poems and haikus that highlight this flower.
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