Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan

14th Century

About Muso Soseki

Timeline (1275 - 1351)

Muso Soseki, Muso Soseki poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

<<Previous Poem | View All Poems by Muso Soseki | Next Poem >>

English version by
Nelson Foster and Josh Shoemaker

Original Language
Japanese

Old Creek

Themes

Moon

Sexual Union

Snake

Water

Recommended Books

	East Window: Poems from Asia, Translated by W. S. Merwin
	Roaring Stream: A New Zen Reader, Edited by Nelson Foster / Edited by Josh Shoemaker
	Sun at Midnight: Muso Soseki - Poems and Sermons, Translated by W. S. Merwin / Translated by Soiku Shigematsu

Since before anyone remembers
     it has been clear
          shining like silver
though the moonlight penetrates it
     and the wind ruffles it
          no trace of either remains

Today I would not dare
     to expound the secret
          of the stream bed
But I can tell you
     that the blue dragon
          is coiled there.

-- from Roaring Stream: A New Zen Reader, Edited by Nelson Foster / Edited by Josh Shoemaker

Amazon.com

<<Previous Poem | View More Poems by Muso Soseki | Next Poem >>

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Muso Soseki

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World