Haikus and Chopin

I was reading, this morning, the poetry of Lady Sarashina- the name given to an anonymous Heian-era writer of exquisitely sensitive yet subtle taste. I highly recommend As I crossed a bridge of dreams, translated by Ivan Morris. As I read I almost unconsciously put on Moriz Rosenthal's recording of the slow movement of Chopin's E minor concerto.

There is much that the recording- and the composition itself- has in common with great Japanese haikus. If played well, that piece can give off both delicacy and intense longing, utter simplicity yet virtuosity, shining like a jewelled dewdrop.

The below extract from As I crossed a bridge is such a breathtakingly simple depiction of transience I had to share it here:

'Presently a carriage approached with a forerunner and stopped by our house. The passenger ordered his attendant to call for someone, 'Oginoha, Oginoha!' [Reed Leaf! Reed Leaf!'] cried the man, but there was no reply from inside the house and presently he gave up. The gentleman played his flute for a while in a beautiful, clear tune; then the carriage moved away. After it had left, I said

The flute was like the Autumn wind

Why did the Reed Leaf make no gentle answering sound?

My sister nodded and replied,

It was the flute's fault, for it passed too soon

And did not wait for Reed Leaf to reply.

[tr. Ivan Morris]