Today’s small treasure is a poem by former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky that seemed resonant to me in these pandemic times.
Samurai Song
When I had no roof I made
Audacity my roof. When I had
No supper my eyes dined.
When I had no eyes I listened.
When I had no ears I thought.
When I had no thought I waited.
When I had no father I made
Care my father. When I had
No mother I embraced order.
When I had no friend I made
Quiet my friend. When I had no
Enemy I opposed my body.
When I had no temple I made
My voice my temple. I have
No priest, my tongue is my choir.
When I have no means fortune
Is my means. When I have
Nothing, death will be my fortune.
Need is my tactic, detachment
Is my strategy. When I had
No lover I courted my sleep.
* * *
How did you survive 2020?
There is fortitude and acceptance in this poem and also an immense creativity, it seems to me…
* * *
By Suzuki Kitsu, Edo period, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Jennifer, this is so inspirational. I immediately thought about my dear mother-in-law, who moved into an assisted living facility last January, and has endured this lonely year with so much dignity, graciousness and resolve.
I’ve heard you talk about her with such admiration. She inspires. Xoxo