Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan

20th Century

About Shinkichi Takahashi

Timeline (20th Century)

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English version by
Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto

Original Language
Japanese

Destruction

Recommended Books

	Afterimages: Zen Poems of Shinkichi Takahashi, by Shinkichi Takahashi
	Triumph of the Sparrow: Zen Poems of Shinkichi Takahashi, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto
	Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto

The universe is forever falling apart --
No need to push the button,
It collapses at a finger's touch:
Why, it barely hangs on the tail of a sparrow's eye.

The universe is so much eye secretion,
Hordes leap from the tips
Of your nostril hairs. Lift your right hand:
It's in your palm. There's room enough
On the sparrow's eyelash for the whole.

A paltry thing, the universe:
Here is all the strength, here the greatest strength.
You and the sparrow are one
And, should he wish, he can crush you.
The universe trembles before him.

-- from Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Shinkichi Takahashi

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World