The Inner Valley

How elegant is the morning sun Shining on the rafters and eaves. How cool are the terrace and pond after the rain. I burn incense to break the deep silence, Drink the spring water and relax in joy. When mind is at ease and spirit is at peace, Understanding is gained. There is nothing left to comprehend. Who can say that the Way is far from us? How tranquil it is, like the Beginning of Heaven and Earth. ******* ✍  Ni Tsan (Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China,  1301-1374). ◙ Johan Hendrik Weissenbruch

The darkness brings no quiet here, the light No waking: ever on my blinded brain The flare of lights, the rush, and cry, and strain, The engines' scream, the hiss and thunder smite: I see the hurrying crowds, the clasp, the flight, Faces that touch, eyes that are dim with pain: I see the hoarse wheels turn, and the great train Move labouring out into the bourneless night. So many souls within its dim recesses, So many bright, so many mournful eyes: Mine eyes that watch grow fixed with dreams and guesses; What threads of life, what hidden histories, What sweet or passionate dreams and dark distresses, What unknown thoughts, what various agonies! ******* ✍ Archibald Lampman (Morpeth, Ontario, Canada, 17 November 1861 ~ Ottawa, Ontario, 10 February 1899). ◙ Paul Delvaux ******* *******

Let the rain kiss you Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops Let the rain sing you a lullaby The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk The rain makes running pools in the gutter The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night And I love the rain.  ✍ James Mercer Langston Hughes (Joplin, Missouri [U.S.], 1 February 1902 ~ New York City, 22 May 1967). ◙ Hermína Laukotová *******