by spencer keeton cunningham (the guy in the photo above).

Who says my poems are poems?
My poems are not poems.
When you know that my poems are not poems,
Then we can speak of poetry.
–Ryokan

In this dream world
We doze
And talk of dreams –
Dream, dream on,
As much as you wish
–Ryokan

Here with you
I could remain
For countless days and years
Silent as the bright moon
We watched together
–Teishin

have you forgotten me
Or lost the path here?
I wait for you
All day, every day
But you do not appear
–Ryokan

The moon, I’m sure
Is shining brightly
High above the mountains
But gloomy clouds
Shroud the peak in darkness
–Teishin

You must rise above
The gloomy clouds
Covering the mountaintop
Otherwise, how will you
Ever see the brightness?
–Ryokan