Status Updates From On Knowing Oneself Too Well

I enjoyed reading this book (though I don’t usually read poetry (I need to change that) hence, I don’t feel particularly qualified to rate it but for enjoyment alone I’d say 3.5-4/5. The poems were so evocative and somber) I hope to one day read it in its original Japanese but until then.

“Home
 
This morning when I opened my eyes
I longed for a place to call my home.
I thought much about it while washing my face.
Returning home after a day’s work,
As I sipped some tea and smoked a cigarette after supper,
The purple smoke reminded me of my dear past.
I sadly thought about “home”—
Sadly and in desolation.”

“The occasional thought of this kind
That crops up in the middle of my busy life—
To whom is it due?”

I liked “An Old Man” a lot!

“The epitaph which we, his fellows, selected for him is as follows:

“I am always ready to rise.”

“There are days of great happiness
Even to this impoverished poet,” ”

“Under heaven, nobody is a stranger.”

“The autumn evening has come—
My sorrow and moonlight
Fill heaven and earth.”

“Like my father, the autumn is severe;
Like my mother, the autumn is tender;
For a homeless child.”

“I wish to experience the sort of love
That compels the dipping of my burning face
In softly piled snow.” so pretty!

I loved “Let us sing” and liked “To a Crab”. I wish that I’ll one day be able to read it in its original Japanese (but until then I’ll read this book).

I’ve only just read the introduction and I’m at awe. It seems like the author/poet had a very difficult life (I’m interested to see what his poems are like).