Sunlight streams between
ten-thousand torii gates
(vermillion and black winding
up the mountain side)
Engraved kanji
scrolled down the side
of ancient wood
dedicated to the androgynous deity
Inari.
Walking in history,
lost in nature’s stillness;
Brought back to present day
by the passing chatter
of school girl’s who
(speaking in gestures)
ask me to take their picture.
Smiles exchanged,
I continue up my path
escaping again into my
foreign surroundings.
Author notes
My last morning in Kyoto, i went to Fushimi Inari Taisha, which was one of the most incredible shrines i visited. following along the torii lines pathways up the mountain was just an incredible experience. it was peaceful, foreign, beautiful.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:KyotoFushimiInariLarge.jpg
my own photo:
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Japan/Kyoto-Prefecture/blog-57174.html
A contest entry
- TAKE ME THERE PART V: JAPAN (ANY TIME PERIOD!) 1100 POINTS! by Everwind Rising.
1100 points, ended September 10, 2007, 7 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
-
I love the picture you have painted here. All of the Torii gates just jumped out at me winding up and down the hill. I love how you have merged the ancient with the simple, everyday, of the school girls. This is definitely an "escapist" piece. Excellent writing.
Congrats on the bronze.
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I love the feel of this piece. Your imagery is very good. I like the way you express that almost mystical time-travel-like experience of visiting Japan's ancient shrines. I have had that experience myself and you done a beautiful job of desribing it.
I also like the way you bring brought me into the present day as if waking from a dream when the school girls sign their request. That is Japan. Old and new existing together, each in the other at the same time. Beautifully written piece.
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