From Basho, Some Relief
As with Poe, who when disturbed by thoughts of his terribly young cousin/wife, whom he gave the name Lenore, I too go to my books for surcease of sorrow. And in this case here is what I found:
from The Narrow Road to Oku
Matsuo Basho
Station 33 - Echigo
After lingering in Sakata for several days, I left on a long walk of a hundred and thirty miles to the capital of the province of Kaga. As I looked up at the clouds gathering around the mountains of the Hokuriku road, the thought of the great distance awaiting me almost overwhelmed my heart. Driving myself all the time, however, I entered the province of Echigo through the barrier-gate of Nezu, and arrived at the barrier-gate of Ichiburi in the province of Ecchu. During the nine days I needed for this trip, I could not write very much, what with the heat and moisture, and my old complaint that pestered me immeasurably.The night looks different Already on July the sixth, For tomorrow, once a year The weaver meets her lover. The great Milky Way Spans in a single arch The billow-crested sea, Falling on Sado beyond.
The whole work is available via the link in the left-hand column.
