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A review by sloatsj
East Window: Poems from Asia by W. S. Merwin
4.0
I love Merwin’s poetry and his translations. He is so deeply invested in poetry. His voice is singular.
This is a book of old Asian poems that he had help rendering into English. The best part of the book is the ‘Asian Figures’ section, a collection of short epigrams/sayings/aphorisms from different countries. They are striking and memorable and often funny.
Says yes
when nobody asked (Laos)
If you can’t smile
don’t open a shop (China)
If it’s good
hurry (Japan)
Wake up
as much as you can (Japan)
This is a book of old Asian poems that he had help rendering into English. The best part of the book is the ‘Asian Figures’ section, a collection of short epigrams/sayings/aphorisms from different countries. They are striking and memorable and often funny.
Says yes
when nobody asked (Laos)
If you can’t smile
don’t open a shop (China)
If it’s good
hurry (Japan)
Wake up
as much as you can (Japan)