Come quickly -- as soon as these blossoms open, they fall. This world exists as a sheen of dew on flowers.
~ Izumi Shikibu (Japan, b 974?), thanks to Maureen Flannery
The sky of my being is dark and still,
But deep within my heart
The bird of faith stirs, awakens,
And begins a song of joyous anticipation,
Until at last,
Beyond the horizon of my mind,
The Self's own Light breaks forth,
Illumining me with joy.