Although the wind

by Izumi Shikibu

English version by Jane Hirshfield
Original Language Japanese

Although the wind
blows terribly here,
the moonlight also leaks
between the roof planks
of this ruined house.

-- from Women in Praise of the Sacred: 43 Centuries of Spiritual Poetry by Women, Edited by Jane Hirshfield

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/ Photo by Fiona Ridger /


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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

We're coming up on the full moon... or perhaps I should say that the full moon is coming up on us. So I thought of this poem.

I love the layered ways our mind interprets the image of this poem.

And a good reminder to us to open enough space between our roof planks to let the moonlight in.

Have a magical and illuminating full moon!








Although the wind