Dusk on the blossom

Of the white peony — which

Embraces the moon.

~ Gyôdai (Englished by R. H. Blyth and Phillip Whidden)

The moon that was alone is now embraced

By petals of the peony.  The shrine

When opened wafts out all the bride-like, chaste

And Christ-like innocence that blossoms shine

To solitude in heaven.  Twilight earth

Sends out its purity from white-tongues white

In realms of temple gloom thus giving birth

To depth above.  There circling in the night

That distant sphere is lifted in its spin

To white awareness of itself as though

It is a pearl, a Buddha lacking sin,

A holy one enveloping love’s glow.

  The dusk reveals the glimmer there inside.

    Enlightenment is petals’ wider stride.