In Yamagata Province, the ancient temple founded by Jikaku Daishi in 860, Ryushaku Temple is stone quiet, perfectly tidy… Monks at the foot of the mountain offered rooms, then we climbed the ridge to the temple, scrambling through ancient gnarled pine and oak, gray smooth stones and moss. The temple doors, built on rock, were bolted. I crawled among boulders to make my bows at shrines. The silence was profound. I sat, feeling my heart begin to open.
Lonely stillness–
a single cicada’s cry
sinking into stone
Basho, “Narrow Road to the Interior”, translated by Sam Hamill, The Essential Basho, p. 22
Emerging Faith
There’s an elegance to the crucifix hanging above the chapel at Graymoor. A gentleness in the eyes looking down, even as the face bears that familiar grimace of pain. The arms, even nailed to the cross piece on the palm, spread out to embrace the world.
As I gaze at this figure, my triumphs pale, and my sins fade to insignificance. In this silence broken only by rustling leaves and passing pilgrims, my heart can pour out sorrow and joy.
Who can say what is born of such an intimate experience of serenity arising from suffering?
passing wind
the distant cry
of the last cicada
this way of compassion
to follow
for Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 153 #SynonymsOnly
and dVerse Poets’ Poetics: Let Us Labor (pubtended by Amaya Engleking)
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Frank J. Tassone 
A mesmerizing multi-faceted piece Frank, bringing what is important from each belief system to the fore with resounding calm. Well done.
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Thank you, Violet! 😀
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Good observation: “Who can say what is born of such an intimate experience of serenity arising from suffering?”
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Thanks, Frank! 😀
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Okay, don’t hate me but I had to chuckle at “passing wind”. Oh, my kids are rubbing off on me! But seriously, your haibun brings me to a place of awe as I see those serene eyes, pouring out the love most of us will never know, or care to know.
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😆 That’s hysterical! Thank you for your kind feedback! 😀
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I love the parallel between Basho’s journey to the temple and yours to the crucifix by the side of the road… so many differences, but still there is the cicada.
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I’ve had a fascination with Taoism, Zen Buddhism and Catholic mysticism since my undergraduate days. Basho’s pilgrimage has certainly evoked my spiritual odyssey (s). Thanks, Bjorn! 😀
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