Little Shrine

Little Shrine,
Half hidden in the trees,
Stark branches and stark stone,
On this cold winter’s day,
You are all alone.

Rough cut stone steps in the side of the hill,
Lead you away from the everyday,
Into the woods,
With stone lanterns to light the way.

I wish it was summer,
That I might see,
The porcelain stone foxes under sun-dappled leaves,
What an image!

Tiny shrine at the top of the hill,
Almost forgotten,
In winter’s chill,
Alone with the gods.

Japanese kami,
What might you be,
To live all alone in the forests and trees,
With only two lanterns and a shrine,
Proof that you might be?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Thirtyseven Avatar
February 26, 2015 at 11:28 AM
You've managed to capture the quite, and beauty of temples. Nicely written.
Harmon Avatar
March 1, 2015 at 7:43 AM
Thank you! One of my favorite parts of Japan. You can go to almost any shrine or temple in Japan and still find peace. In case of the more famous ones, despite the tourists. X)
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