  (Miyajima, Japan, 1905) Lowly temple and torii, Shrine where the spirits of wind and wave Find the worship and glory we Give to the one God great and grave— Lowly temple and torii, Shrine of the dead, I hang my prayer Here on your gates—the story see And answer out of the earth and air. For I am Nature's child, and you Were by the children of Nature built. Ages have on you smiled—and dew On you for ages has been spilt— Till you are beautiful as Time Mossy and mellowing ever makes: Wrapped as you are in lull—or rhyme Of sounding drum that sudden breaks. This is my prayer then, this, that I Too may reverence all of life, Beauty, and power and miss no high Awe of a world with wonder rife. That I may build in spirit fair Temples and torii on each place That I have loved—O hear it, Air, Ocean and Earth, and grant your grace! |
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