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be said, that language that you speak so as not to have to be completely silent, the language of emotion and ecstasy.
THESE SMALL POEMS OF IKKYU may not be very poetic -- in fact, R. H. Blyth, writing about these DOKA of Ikkyu, says: "Ikkyu's little poems are not of great poetical value, yet they portray for us a man of deep sincerity, too honest perhaps to be a great Lyrical poet." The purpose is not poetry. The purpose is to convey something which cannot be conveyed through ordinary language. The poetry is being used as a vehicle, remember it. Don't think in terms of literature: think in terms of ecstasy.
And sometimes ecstasy can be expressed through small words.Just the other day I was reading William Samuel. He writes:
Pondering the enigma of communication one day out in the back-country of my hills, I witnessed the happy reunion of a father and his five-year-old son who had been lost in the woods for many hours. I knew the boy would be found -- and I knew I knew -- but despite the positive knowing, I was unable to allay the father's fears or bring him to understand the truth I saw. Then, even as I wondered -- even as I asked about this inability to communicate when it seemed so important to do it -- I saw the little boy and the father find each other.
Oh, such a reunion! A barefoot ragamuffin came running out of the woods shouting with all his might, "Daddy! Daddy!" and I saw the father, unashamedly sobbing, sweep the child into his arms. All he could say was, "Hallelujah! Praise God!" again and again. "Hallelujah! Praise God!"
There are moments when something has to be said and nothing can be said. There are moments when tears say much more than words. There are moments when laughter says much more than words. There are moments when gestures say much more than words. There are moments when silence speaks more than words. All the laughter, all the tears, all the gestures, silences, they are contained in the second language -- the language of poetry.
William Samuel also writes:
Once in China, I was given a simple verse to read and then to give my interpretation. I was ready to give an answer immediately but was
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