row this boat, let us;
in this boat we are
given a respite, calm waters
and smooth passage, at least the while
and so let us row the boat past the fingers of land
past the trees and receding assurances
and the enveloping air like an imperceptible menace
and Mt Fuji like a blessing, but the inscrutable skies all round -
who knows how long a friend, a comfort?
row this boat then, only our skills are certain
only our intended destination
(for even the benign presence we know is fickle)
and who is to know if we may even reach land?
all destiny is in the hands of the waves;
we are but driftwood, we are…enjoy the rhythm
and when it’s wild, enjoy the thrill of the ride
Dec 28, 2013
Dec 28, 2013 at 4:21 AM UTC
row this boat, let us;
in this boat we are
given a respite, calm waters
and smooth passage, at least the while
and so let us row the boat past the fingers of land
past the trees and receding assurances
and the enveloping air like an imperceptible menace
and Mt Fuji like a blessing, but the inscrutable skies all round -
who knows how long a friend, a comfort?
row this boat then, only our skills are certain
only our intended destination
(for even the benign presence we know is fickle)
and who is to know if we may even reach land?
all destiny is in the hands of the waves;
we are but driftwood, we are…enjoy the rhythm
and when it’s wild, enjoy the thrill of the ride
...poem based on landscape print by Utagawa Toyohiro, view of Mount Fuji, c. 1800...
View image at: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Utagawa-Toyohiro-Mt-Fuji.jpg
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