Let the moonlight leak

Let the moonlight leak.

Although the wind
blows terribly here,
the moonlight also leaks
between the roof planks
of this ruined house.

— Awakening poem by Izumi Shikibu

The moon in Japanese poetry is always the moon; often it is also the image of Buddhist awakening.

This poem reminds that if a house is walled so tightly that it lets in no wind or rain, if a life is walled so tightly that it lets in no pain, grief, anger, or longing, it will also be closed to the entrance of what is most wanted.”

— Jane Hirshfield

As one living through grief right now, I reside in this house. May the planks of my roof and walls always be loose.

May the breeze blow gently through and the moonlight fall softly around the place.