What is this life? Ryōkan Taigu

What is this life of mine?

Rambling on, I entrust myself to fate.

Sometimes laughter, sometimes tears.

Neither a layman nor a monk.

An early spring rain drizzles on and on.

But the plum blossoms have yet to brighten things up.

All morning I sit by the hearth,

No one to talk to.

I search for my copybook

And then brush a few poems.

Ryōkan Taigu (1758-1831) 'Dewdrops on a lotus leaf; Zen Poems of Ryōkan' Translated by John Stevens.

Ryōkan Taigu Self-Portrait with inscribed verse: "It is not that I avoid mixing with the world; but I do better playing alone."