Taigu Ryokan Poems

Too lazy to be ambitious,
I let the world take care of itself.
Ten days' worth of rice in my bag;
a bundle of twigs by the fireplace.
...

I watch people in the world
Throw away their lives lusting after things,
Never able to satisfy their desires,
Falling into deeper despair
...

First days of Spring-the sky
is bright blue, the sun huge and warm.
Everything's turning green.
...

have you forgotten me
or lost the path here?
i wait for you
all day, every day
...

Blending with the wind,
Snow falls;
Blending with the snow,
The wind blows.
...

you must rise above
the gloomy clouds
covering the mountaintop
...

in this dream world
we doze
and talk of dreams --
dream, dream on,
...

My legacy --
What will it be?
Flowers in spring,
The cuckoo in summer,
...

The thief left it behind:
the moon
at my window.
...

today's begging is finished; at the crossroads
i wander by the side of hachiman shrine
talking with some children.
last year, a foolish monk;
...