Was I a Samurai renowned, Two-sworded, fierce, immense of bow? A histrion angular and profound? A priest? A porter? -- Child, although I have forgotten clean, I know That in the shade of Fujisan, What time the cherry-orchard blow, I loved you once in old Japan. As here you loiter, flowing-gowned And hugely sashed, with pins a-row Your quaint head as with flamelets crowned, Demure, inviting -- even so, When merry maids in Miyako To feel the sweet o' the year began, And green gardens to overflow, I loved you once in old Japan. Clear shine the hills; the rice-fields round Two cranes are circling; sleepy and slow, A blue canal the lake's blue bound Breaks at the bamboo bridge; and lo! Touched with the sundown's spirit and glow, I see you turn, with flirted fan, Against the plum-tree's bloomy snow ... I loved you once in old Japan! Envoy Dear, 'twas a dozen lives ago; But that I was a lucky man The Toyokuni here will show: I loved you -- once -- in old Japan. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO NIGHT by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY TO THE SAME PURPOSE by THOMAS TRAHERNE EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 30. THE HUNTER CAUGHT BY HIS OWN GAMER by PHILIP AYRES ON PLOUGHING by EVELYN D. BANGAY CRIPPLED SOLDIER by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN WAITING IN WINTER (1) by STANLEY BURNSHAW ON THE BURNING OF LORD MANSFIELD'S LIBRARY (1) by WILLIAM COWPER |