“Dream People,” by Monk Sōgi

A zen monk from a humble background, Iio Sōgi became one of the most respected poets of 15th-century Japan, lauded by major figures and followed by a crowd of students.

We may realize
that people are merely dreams:
the house abandoned,
its wild garden becomes home
to a swarm of butterflies.

—translated by David Bowles
April 20, 2014

Original Japanese

Hito wo yume to ya
omoishiruramu;
sumi suteshi,
sono wa kochou no
yadori nite.

人を夢とや
思い知るらむ
住み捨て市
その輪誇張の
宿りにて

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