19 September 2026

Gion Bridge over the Machiyamaguchi River in Amakusa (Japan)

Is it clouds? Or mountains? Is it Wu? Or Yue?The water and the heavens separated by a single hair
After countless miles anchoring the boat in the Sea of Amakusa
The mist moving past my window, the sun gradually sinks.
I glimpse a giant fish jumping between the waves
The light of Venus, bright as the moon, strikes the boat.

Old poem by Rai San'Yo