Ryōkan

Watching quietly,

speaking to no one.

The beautiful girl does not show that her heart is broken.

Since I came to this hermitage, how many years have passed?

If I am tired, I stretch out my feet.

If I feel fine, I go for a stroll in the mountains.

The ridicule or praise of worldly people means nothing

following my destiny for this body I have received from my parents.

I have only thanks.

Day and night, the cold wind blows through my robe.

In the forest, only fallen leaves.

Wild chrysanthemums can no longer be seen.

Next to my hermitage, there is an ancient bamboo grove.

Never changing, it awaits my return.

Once again, many greedy people appear, no different from silkworms wrapped in cocoons.

Wealth and riches are all they love, never giving their minds or bodies a moment's rest.

Every year their natures deteriorate while their vanity increases.

One morning death comes before they can even use half their money.

Others happily receive the estate, and the deceased's name is soon lost in darkness.

For such people, there can be only great pity.