An online community sharing the study and practice of Chan Buddhism

Painted Windows Photograph by Yao Xiang


( Painting on the side of a building in Mt. Shasta by Tom O'Hara )

 

      Painted Windows

      I lived in a house

      with two real windows and the other two painted on.

      Those painted windows caused my first sorrow.

      I'd touch the sides of the hall

      trying to reach the windows from inside.

      I spent my whole childhood wanting

      to lean out and see what could be seen

      from the windows that weren't there.


      - Gloria Fuertes (of Madrid)

      Ventanas Pentadas

      Vivía en una casa

      con dos ventanas de verdad y las otras dos pintadas

      en la fachada.

      Aquellas ventanas pintadas fueron mi primer dolor.

      Palpaba las paredes del pasillo,

      intentando encontrar las ventanas por dentro.

      Toda mi infancia pasé con el deseo

      de asomarme para ver lo que se veía

      desde aquellas ventanas que no existieron.


      - Gloria Fuertes (de Madrid)