Composition Ex Nihilo

Ah!  Singing skylark!

The tail-end of the forest

Lingers in dakness.

~ Issa [Englished by Phillip Whidden]

The larks embark on song while in the dark

Of groves before these larks begin to see

First glimmers from the dawn.  An unknown spark

Inside the heart begins epiphany

Of singing in the whispering feathered chest

And soon the melody sends out a note

To start the serenade.  The tethered breast

Is freed to sing its aria through throat

And burbling beak.  We do not have to search

For miracle or sign of wonder.  Ear

Receives the revelation, no pure church

Required.  The beauty of the singing near

Severity of loveliness proceeds.

Of course it causes love.  It causes love

Inevitably.  Worlds of heart-sung needs

Rise up from darkness into light above.

The world has always weathered, every spring,

    This symphony-like storm on singing wing.