Although the wind by Izumi Shikibu, translated by Jane Hirshfield

Although the Wind

by Izumi Shikibu, translated by Jane Hirshfield

Although the wind

blows terribly here,

the moonlight also leaks

between the roof planks

of this ruined house.

This poem is, of course, untitled in its original form; traditional Japanese poetry is not titled. And this poet is the epitome of traditional--she was born about 974 and died (we believe) in 1034, and she is considered to be one of the greatest poets of her era.

This poem is somewhat unusual for Shikibu as most of her poems involve love and/or sex. She was married at least twice and had many lovers in between marriages and during the second. She lived in the court. Later in life, she devoted herself to Buddhism. As with Sunday's poet, Rollie Lynn Riggs, Izumi Shikibu had a fascinating life.

The poem above may be about an actual house. It may actually be a love poem--the speaker is happy despite her surroundings and the weather because she is with her lover or waiting for him to arrive. It may also be an extended metaphor, which is how I read it along with the other interpretations, and I am aware my take is most likely influenced by the state of the world.

Yes, the wind is howling. It is frightening. Our house (the earth?) is ruined, maybe falling apart around us. It is loud and cold and dark.

But the moonlight! The falling-apart house has its use--it allows some light to enter, and we humans respond positively to light so there's that positive. But the moonlight is also beautiful on its own, just by existing. There are still things to celebrate, even as we brave the wind. The moon also reminds us that our problems, which may be enormous, are still small when put into the perspective of the universe.

I wish Hollywood would make (good/truthful/realistic) biopics of poets--so many had incredible lives, especially the women, the POC, and the LGBTQA+ folks. I am so sick of superheroes who are fictional--give me Izumi Shikibu! She is one of the Thirty-six Medieval Poetry Immortals--how's that for being a superhero?

Read this poem and more about the poet at The Poetry Foundation. Wikipedia has a more detailed bio, as well as a few of her poems in the original Japanese. Poetry collections of Shikibu's poetry include The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan, and The Izumi Shikibu Diary.