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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FROM THE JAPANESE by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER

First Line: I ONLY LIVE IN THE LIGHT
Last Line: -- THE MIST SILENTLY LIFTED AND SHOWED ME -- AN OPEN TOMB.
I

I only live in the light:
Let there be light for me,
Or let the night come soon!

II

Winter, --
Summer's rainbow-mantle of colour fades
Back, once again, to white.

III

I cry,
Echo answers faintly.
Echo is a poet.

IV

A breeze ruffles the rain-pool.
-- Even our griefs cannot find rest,
Aimlessly up and down they are tossed by the wind.

V

Snowflakes rise and fall on the wind:
Even Winter has her white flocks of silent birds.

VI

I gazed through the mist:
Was it a goddess I saw?
-- The mist silently lifted and showed me -- an open tomb.



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