With the Utmost Violence the Mind Can Defy

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem 

Peonies do not permit

Clouds for one hundred miles to

Ravage pink petals.

~ Buson [Englished by Phillip Whidden]

 

The peonies use beauty as a shield

Against the violence of thunderstorms

And more than that out on the battlefield

They use their gorgeousness and frilly forms

As swords to threaten slashing clouds away.

The railing raindrops are defied and held

Off, loveliness their weapon.  Dullet gray

And hailstones fall on knees.  The foes are quelled

Before their general can give command

To ugliness.  Campaigns against the true

Exquisiteness of petals must disband

And flee the field of prettiness, its view.

  Come!  See sublime the beauty of the flowers

    Before Napoleon brings banging showers.

©  Phillip Whidden