In Memory of W.S. Merwin
There lies the great poetIn the hamlet of Haiku
Influenced by seedsMy fellow wandering soulContent with the heart
Beating as birds in the skyWelcoming wind to the trees
That day was sunnyWhen the Ides of March took youLeis replaced laurels
Settled the outer reachesOf the West earthly Janus
Doorway of culturePasser of left behind worldsFerryman’s new eyes
You fought against war you calledHomer the greatest poet
You bore the same nameAs my ancestor long goneCunning warrior
Dao masters open their armsAt the last step of the way
Mencius guides youTo the cupped ear of BuddhaThese spirits flow true
With Milton in the black denYou could hear the written word
What did you write lastMore than a poem a letterOne lone passing thought
You had taken so much moreKnowing where art falls short
The last fires set outRain glosses leaves unnoticedThe earth’s been colder
Photo by Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash