Japanese Death Poems – by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the verge of death

Nonfiction / Poetry

354 pages / 5446 KB

5 Stars

I am a very informal "student" of Japan, and dearly love the poetry I've read. I know that composing a poem on one's deathbed is "expected" and that many of the poems are quite beautiful.

Although most of the poems are short, this is not a book to hurry through. It is a book to read, contemplate on what you read and what the poet meant, then read more and repeat the process. 

These poems give insight into a culture different than mine, and are, as one reviewer said, "profoundly moving."

I hope, when I die, I can go out with such peace, such grace, and a poem worthy of inclusion in someone's book.