Classic Poem

On Tsukuba mountain
where the eagles nest,
above the ford
of Mohakitsu,
hand in hand
the young men and women
come crowding round
to sing in the song meet.
And I will sleep
with other men's wives
and others will make
proposals to mine —
for years past
this is a custom
the gods who rule the mountain
have not condemned,
so for today alone
don't look at me reproachfully,
don't speak words of blame!

ENVOY

On Man God peak
the clouds rise up
and showers fall,
but though I'm wet through and through
I've no wish to go home