Old Poetry Poetry Poets Essays Forums

To My Teacher

An old grave hidden away at the foot of a deserted hill,
Overrun with rank weeds growing unchecked year after year;
There is no one left to tend the tomb,
And only an occasional woodcutter passes by.
Once I was his pupil, a youth with shaggy hair,
Learning deeply from him by the Narrow River.
One morning I set off on my solitary journey
And the years passed between us in silence.
Now I have returned to find him at rest here;
How can I honor his departed spirit?
I pour a dipper of pure water over his tombstone
And offer a silent prayer.
The sun suddenly disappears behind the hill
And I’m enveloped by the roar of the wind in the pines.
I try to pull myself away but cannot;
A flood of tears soaks my sleeves.

Leave a guest comment (subject to review)

    : Comment:

    Name: (required)
    Email: (required, hidden from spam)

Comments

1 - 7 of 7
  • Rhygirl60
    August 4
    Edit | Reply

    To my tgeacher

    I felt this poem to be timeless , generation after generation
    people can enjoy his words and what a poignant tale this poem tells.
    What a gentle compassionate poet, we discover as we read of his distress about the death of his beloved teacher and his frustration as he decided how to honour his spirit.Truly a poem to read and read again


  • April 9
    Edit | Reply
    From guest Mike Wasouski (contact)
    This is such a nice and lovely poem, i wish that you could have been my teacher for this year and teach us Everything about Language arts. Much respect for you!! R.I.P.

  • Such respect for ones teacher! A true offering from the soul which was all he could offer... a man not afraid to cry, or let others known he had, Taigu Ryokan I wish you had been my teacher as well. RIP.


  • Freestyle Bushido
    April 16, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    beautiful!


  • more like war
    February 3, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    This gave me shivers. It reminds me so much of my grandpa, who passed away just over a year ago.


  • rufina caraid Moderators member
    October 9, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    13 months later and i've once again returned to this poem. It still fills me with a sense of deep love and respect. Yet the final line is full of regret I feel. My opinion has changed slightly of the year but it's still awe inspiring for me.
    Von


  • September 26, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    Weeks?

    From guest mark (contact)
    should it be "weeds" instead of "weeks" in line 2?


    • I-Like-Rhymes Moderators member
      September 27, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      To Guest Mark.
      Indeed it should have been weeks and it has been changed.
      Many thanks for your help.

  • GC Ice
    September 30, 2006
    Edit | Reply
    Very good poem...I truly felt it...


  • rufina caraid Moderators member
    September 3, 2006
    Edit | Reply
    The feeling of utter desolation pervades this poem - it has affected me more than I can describe.

1 - 7 of 7