My Spiritual Home
If I had an acre of fertile land,
A thatched cottage to shield from wind, cold, heat and damp,
Why would I squeeze into the steel and concrete jungle?
No matter how large a house can be measured,
The human heart remains unfathomable.
The fragrance of wildflowers along the path is natural and pure.
Even amidst thousands of houses and lanes, a single glance is enough.
If the heart is filled with light, brightness will abound everywhere.
Lights shine on faces, affairs cater to the powerful and rich.
I’ve wasted my prosperous days in vain,
Touched by the vastness of this worldly way.
I yearn to move to an isolated island,
Watching over the empty wilderness on all sides.
A single ladle of water, a single drink,
Are enough to make my heart turn toward the light.
January 2, 2026, 08:51
Comment: A Search for a Pure Land amidst the Hustle and Bustle
Anna Keiko’s “My Spiritual Home” is like a clear spring, flowing with a deep longing for a pure spiritual world amidst the hustle and bustle of the mundane world, touching and inspiring readers’ hearts.
The imagery in the poem is ingeniously used with strong contrasts. The “acre of fertile land” and the “thatched cottage” form a sharp contrast with the world built of “steel and concrete”. The former is simple and rustic, an ideal haven of peace and freedom; while the latter, though its space can be measured, has an unfathomable human heart, revealing the spiritual emptiness behind material prosperity. The natural fragrance of the “wildflower path” and the worldly disturbances of the “thousands of houses and lanes” further highlight the poet’s yearning for nature and authenticity, as well as her alienation from the utilitarian and mundane.
The emotional expression is sincere and profound. The poet directly conveys her inner belief: “If the heart is filled with light, brightness will abound everywhere”, spreading a positive and uplifting energy and making people believe that inner light can dispel all darkness. Regarding worldly prosperity, the poet laments in无奈 (helplessness), “I’ve wasted my prosperous days in vain, Touched by the vastness of this worldly way.” In a reality where power and wealth reign supreme, her loneliness and confusion are evident, and this emotion can easily resonate with readers.
The artistic conception is profound and full of philosophy. The “yearning to move to an isolated island” is not an escape from reality but a pursuit of inner peace. In the empty wilderness, she can blend with nature and find her true self. “A single ladle of water, a single drink, Are enough to make my heart turn toward the light” reveals that happiness does not lie in material abundance but in inner fulfillment and tranquility, containing profound life wisdom.
The language is simple yet full of charm, without the embellishment of flowery words, yet it can accurately convey emotions and thoughts. “If I had an acre of fertile land, A thatched cottage to shield from wind, cold, heat and damp” is simple and plain but creates a sense of peace and serenity. The rhythm is also natural and harmonious, forming a rhythm through word combinations and sentence patterns, enhancing the poem’s appeal.
“My Spiritual Home” is an excellent work that leads us to stop in the hustle and bustle, examine our inner selves, and pursue that piece of peace and light that belongs to us.
