Beneath the blue slopes
of western hills, small men fire
long cannons at foes:
their war cries dissipate as
easily as windblown smoke.
Kyakuchuu
Author's Notes/Comments:
The geographical reference alludes to Xishan outside Beijing; the military action I had in mind represents the Seond Sino-Japanese War.
A truly brilliant
A truly brilliant illustration of the senselessness of war: the serene backdrop is a powerful foil for the violence; the smallness of the men in relation to the majesty of the hills and the war cries now a memory speak volumes about the transience of life and all the battles we feel are so important, but are, in the end, sadly futile.
A tower of wisdom in a drop of language. Wondrous.
Thank you for that very
Thank you for that very precise interpretation---you have understood, with your usual wise acumen, the exact effect I was striving for in this Tanka/
Starwardist
I love the softness and
I love the softness and delicacy of this poem, within the seriousness of the situation. Sue.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Starwardist