Yone Noguchi,
The Voice of the Valley
(1897)
“ Startle the lazy noon drowsing in the full-flowing tide of the sunbeams nailing thy chants in Eternity!The melody breathing peace in the name of Spring, calms tear to smile, envy to rest. Ah thou, world of this day, sigh not of the poets who have deserted thee—aye, I hail myself as I do Homer!Behold, a baby flower hymns the creation of the universe in the breeze, charming my soul as the lover-moon! ”
Yone Noguchi,
The Voice of the Valley
(1897)
“ There are passages in his poems as lofty and abrupt as the precipitous walls of the Valley he adores; there are shadows, also, where the imagery is vague—as imagery should be where overshadowed; there are heights dazzling with frost and sunshine; and over all is the fathomless and alluring sky, into which he soars like that aspiring soul of song that rests not this side the Gate of Heaven. ”
Yone Noguchi,
The Voice of the Valley
(1897)
“ Adieu Adieu, Sons and Daughters of the first pair of mortals!Adieu, City—you know not of celestial joy rippling in tune with nature!Adieu, Fame—a sunbeam following the darkness of night!Adieu, Gold—glittering dust of the earth, valueless in the land of Heaven!Adieu, Mansions—you wall the sky, hide the moon and the stars! ”
