Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Almost suddenly, past a railway track, it is like entering another world. People talk in revered tones, no one shouts. There is no litter on the paths, only fallen leaves, no wrappers, no drink cans, no butts. The small stone shrines are coated with moss. You expect a fox spirit to step forward and greet you...
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan
Photo by dsnake1
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
coming out of the noise of the train station
and across an old railway track
the bamboo forest
because the bamboos are so tall, so straight
their leaves like spear tips
the early daylight
just creeps quietly through the slats of wood,
whatever tiny spaces of freedom
to fall silently
on the paths we are walking, to monuments
of immortal haiku poets
in buried fire
the bamboo leaves bow in the slight wind
to centuries of poetry
and did down these paths
samurai warriors, katanas drawn and rifles loaded
went to die at Toba-Fushimi?
their dreams silent
as the frozen moon?
but now in this new century
i see this smiling girl with a hijab
photographing a pokemon toy
this is pikachu meeting kitsune
further ahead famous shrines await
under a foggy autumn sky
Adashino Nenbutsuji
and the red maples
written 28/06/2020
revised 26/03/2021
****************
Virtual Japan - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021
Photo by dsnake1
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
coming out of the noise of the train station
and across an old railway track
the bamboo forest
because the bamboos are so tall, so straight
their leaves like spear tips
the early daylight
just creeps quietly through the slats of wood,
whatever tiny spaces of freedom
to fall silently
on the paths we are walking, to monuments
of immortal haiku poets
in buried fire
the bamboo leaves bow in the slight wind
to centuries of poetry
and did down these paths
samurai warriors, katanas drawn and rifles loaded
went to die at Toba-Fushimi?
their dreams silent
as the frozen moon?
but now in this new century
i see this smiling girl with a hijab
photographing a pokemon toy
this is pikachu meeting kitsune
further ahead famous shrines await
under a foggy autumn sky
Adashino Nenbutsuji
and the red maples
written 28/06/2020
revised 26/03/2021
****************
Virtual Japan - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021
posted by dsnake1 at 8:18 PM
17 Comments:
A magical scene. I felt like I was walking in the bamboo forest too. I love that it emobodies poetry.
There was a stand of bamboo in the back garden of the house I grew up in. I used to play in it when I was small. So I can fairly easily imagine a bamboo forest. I like your poem very much indeed; also it puts me in mind of Natalie Goldberg's recent book (published this year) Three Simple Lines, about haiku and her journeying through Japan.
Colleen,
Thank you!
any place that embodies poetry is beautiful. :)
Rosemary,
Thank you!
I had a wonderful time during my tour in Japan. Everywhere i went, i wanted to write a haiku, but only managed a few (and not very good ones). There's just too much to see and feel and eat. :)
Lovely images--the bamboo forest, thoughts of its past history, then the modern child with the Pokemon toy. I could see it. Thank you.
Priscilla,
Thank you!
yes, that modern child with the pokemon toy seems out of place at first, but really i realised later that it was actually in sync with that world. :)
This is wonderful, Lee San. First, I love your description of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest--its cleanliness, how it interacts with environment, what it has inspired and continues to inspire... The line about "pikachu meeting kitsune" made smile from ear to ear. Few things warm my heart more than the sight of the world shifting and growing to fit all its creatures.
This is a gorgeous poem ... I had a 'wall of bamboo' separating my property from a neighbor ... years ago in warm, balmy Florida. It was the envy of our neighborhood.
Does look like a place for a nine tail to appear
Luv these lines:
"on the paths we are walking, to monuments
of immortal haiku poets"
Happy you dropped by my blog today Cheong Lee san
Much💛love
So lovely. You took us there!
We all need nature - it grounds us and is very spiritual as well. Lovely write. Loved the connection with the souls and nature.
There's a stand of bamboo in the back of my development. I love how it looks, but sadly the ground there is super marshy and often has a lot of mosquitoes hanging around when the weather gets warm enough. I hope to visit Japan someday.
Magaly,
yes, it was a very eye-opening trip. i saw centuries old shrines co-existing with modern offices & homes, i see manners that i could only wished for over here.
Helen,
Thank you!
i bet that 'wall of bamboo' is the envy of your neighbourhood. :)
Gillena,
it was quite aa magical place. :)
Beverly,
Thank you! :)
Margaret,
Thank you!
i like what you said about nature! :)
Rommy,
yes, i would like to visit Japan again someday. :)
That was gorgeous. :-) Thanks.
Thank you, Mario! :)
This was so beautifully versed!
Thank you, magiceye!
so glad to hear from you! :)
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