Lady Ise

One of the wonderful things about being a teacher is that I am always learning. As I read, research, prepare for classes, I am always coming upon something new. Sometimes it is practical. . . a new idea to use in classroom management. . . an exercise to teach a concept . . .an illustration that makes clarifies. Other times it is a quote or an author or a poem I had not discovered yet. I love this. It's like stumbling into a room I thought I knew already and finding a treasure chest hidden in the corner. Today's treasure was a female Japanese poet known as Lady Ise. I discovered the following poem:

Field-Burnt Over

My body is like

A field wasted by winter.

If only

I, like the field burnt-over

Awaited the return of spring.

--Lady Ise

I loved this imagery, so began to look around a bit more and discovered these other gems of Asian poetry:

I Have Always Known

I have always known

That at last I would

Take this road, but yesterday

I did not know that it would be today

--Ariwara no Narihira

Not Speaking Of The Way

Not speaking of the way

Not thinking of what comes after,

Not questioning name or fame,

Here, loving love,

You and I look at each other.

--Akiko Yosano

Why Should I Be Bitter

Why should I be bitter

About someone who was

A complete stanger

Until a certain moment

In a day that has passed

--Saigyo Hoshi

Just thought I would share my treasures of the day!

Enjoy