The River, It Listens to Ikkyu (MS)

The river, it listens to Ikkyu,

the way he prays to the wind

scrapes the snow, and talks to the birds

that sip at the riverbank.


The river is the sound of dreams,

the taste of memories.

It teaches children

to follow the Way.


The river hears the priest ask

What is the way?

Please tell me, what is the Way?


Ikkyu has sat still for hours.

He knows nothing.

In that moment

Ikkyu is enlightened.

The river listens to Ikkyu's quiet heart.


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