You Do Not Need Many Things

My house is buried in the deepest recess of the forest.

Every year, ivy vines grow longer than the year before.

Undisturbed by the affairs of the world I live at ease,

Woodmen’s singing rarely reaching me through the trees.

While the sun stays in the sky, I mend my torn clothes

And facing the moon, I read holy texts aloud to myself.

Let me drop a word of advice my friends.

To enjoy life’s immensity, you do not need many things.

~Taigu Ryokan