beyond the floating bridge

for a while

from time to time, a bridge rises out of the darkness of the heart.

there is the grace of the unforeseen, gestures finding each other, as if in a mirror, there is the gentleness of wonder, the wild joy of being, finally, understood, held in the palm of another, across the abyss.
souls strive toward light as pale crocuses, an orange flame of love tearing through them, toward the sky. for a while, there is knowing and sweet unknowing, mouths and fingers fit as if pieces of a puzzle which fall into place, for a while, the death one carries within suddenly doesn't matter, there is the glimpse of skin aglow with shared silences, there is green.

then the bridge recedes into the darkness of hearts.

..

on a bridge, groping

(perhaps their vision)

..

twilight on the red bridge

..

浮船 Ukifune 1

Without expressing
My anguish,
Eventually I threw myself
Into the Uji River in Yamashiro.
Yet I could not sink deep enough,
And I do not know
Where I will drift to.
How lamentable is my fate!

In a tiny boat
Carrying brush and wattles,
I travel this miserable world.
When I look at the water dripping
From the end of the boatman's oar,
My thoughts turn to the past,
And my sleeves become soaked
With tears.



Song composed for koto by Mitsuhashi Kengyo (1693-1760)
(translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)




..

浮船 Ukifune 2

In seclusion
At the quiet Ono retreat:
She was afraid to be heard
Or seen,
Even by wind from the summit
Or by a young stag,
She suppressed her voice
Modestly.

Neither the two ancient verses,
Nor something special
Has she in mind
When she seats herself
At the inkstone.
Yet it is in writing practice
That she passes her hours of idleness
And silent tears.

Song composed for koto by Mitsuhashi Kengyo (1693-1760)
(translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)

the floating bridge of dreams

The floating bridge of dreams

of the brief spring night of love

has now broken off:

dawn sky with a wisp of cloud

taking its leave of the peak.

Haru no yo no

Yume no ukihashi

Todae shite

Mine ni wakaruru

Yokogumo no sora

(Fujiwara Teika, translation: Paul St John Mackintosh)

the floating bridge of dreams (2)

The poem alludes to the last chapter of Genji Monogatari, entitled The Floating Bridge of Dreams (Yume no Ukihashi). Ukifune (Floating Boat) tries to break loose from Kaoru's pursuite and throws herself into the Uji River. She however survives and finally decides to become a nun. But the tale is left unfinished.