Haibun - Water Stone, 1986

Water Stone, 1986

Surrounded by a field of white rocks
roughly the same size and shape, the
black basalt tsukubai murmurs. It is
like glass, polished smooth as the
water flowing over its irregular edges.
I wonder if, before his first chisel,
Noguchi had already heard the sound

early Spring --
as it strikes the stones,
water finds its voice.