Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, O-TSUYA FORSAKEN, by CALE YOUNG RICE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

O-TSUYA FORSAKEN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I followed. In the tea-house geisha danced the death
Last Line: Shall he be mine in no reincarnation?
Subject(s): Death; Japan; Love; Loyalty; Stars; Dead, The; Japanese


My geta clacked. A paper lantern moved, led by a hand,
before me. The wind moaned. A wet pine struck my face.
It seemed as if I heard the river rushing o'er me.

I followed. In the tea-house Geisha danced The Death of Spring. Their
shadows fell like petals on the shoji...
I felt a creeping mist about me cling.

The bridge was darkly arched. Midway the lantern waited.
Pale as the hidden moon the hand was! ... his! ...
She came! ... Will the gods ever know how much I hated?

They went... up through the torii, by a shrine.
Upon the lantern Amida I read.... No more shall Amida be god of mine!

It is not far to the river -- down to death. The stars swirled -- a
conflagration.... And yet I could not go. --
Shall he be mine in no reincarnation?





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net