there
on the horizon
what looks like
shore
or is it
just one more
illusion
Month: August 2014
At Night atop Shou-hsiang Citadel, Hearing Tartar Flutes by Li Yi
Before Hui-le Peak, sands like snow.
Beyond Shou-hsiang Citadel, the moon like frost.
From somewhere the reed pipes are blowing,
And all night through the soldiers long for home.
translated by Paul Kroll
on gardens: for Kristina
a garden
she says
for flowers plants
tomatoes perhaps
like the Italians had
when growing up
though she is not Italian
not that that matters
gardens know no nationality
flowers plants
tomatoes even
understand caring hands
like hers
there in the center
of war
a dream
of a garden
flowers plants
tomatoes possibly
and love
when it comes
will grow there
too
On Dewdrop by Wei Ying-wu
A drop of dew on an autumn lotus leaf,
In a clear night it falls from the dark heavens.
On this jade plate it comes to rest;
Only because it’s unsettled, we know it to be round.
translated by Irving Y. Lo
irony
I said
you’ll miss me
when I’m gone
yet I’m the one
writing this poem
Summer Night by Han Wo
Wild wind, chaotic lightning–black clouds are born.
Splashing, splashing in tall woods–the sound of dense rain.
Night wears on, rain lets up–wind, too, is settled.
Torn clouds–a floating moon once more slants down its light.
translated by Edward H. Schafer
ankles and knees
it’s the ankles
really
slender shapely
connecting those lovely feet
to those long legs
not to mention
the knees
friends say
I’m a leg man
who am I
to deny
what history has
proved to be true
in your case
naturally
a reaffirmation
of my predilection
for ankles
and knees
and all they connect
to what you stand upon
smiling at me
ankles and knees
it’s the ankles
really
slender shapely
connecting those lovely feet
to those long legs
not to mention
the knees
friends say
I’m a leg man
who am I
to deny
what history has
proved to be true
in your case
naturally
a reaffirmation
of my predilection
for ankles
and knees
and all they connect
to what you stand upon
smiling at me
New Moon by Tu Fu
The bright, thin, new moon appears,
Tıpped askew in the heavens.
It no sooner shines over
The ruined fortress than the
Evening clouds overwhelm it.
The Milky Way shines unchanging
Over the freezing mountains
Of the border. White frost covers
The garden. The chrysanthemums
Clot and freeze in the night.
translated by Kenneth Rexroth
As Death Approaches by Orhan Veli Kanik
Toward the coming on of evening, in winter time,
At the window of a sick man’s bedroom–
I’m not the only one to be so alone;
It’s dark on the sea, the sky is dark, too.
Funny, how the birds are behaving tonight!
Don’t mind that I’m poor, that I’m alone in the world;
-Toward the coming on of the evening in winter time-
I too in my time have had my love affairs.
To be famous, to have women, to make money-
In time one gets to know the world as it is.
Is it because we’re to die that we have these regrets?
What were we, what happened to us in this world,
In this mortal old world, except evil?
We shall be rid of our dirt at our death,
With death we’ll get to be good men at last.
Being famous, having women, making money, and all-
We’ll forget all that when we die.
translated by David Garwood
Leonard Durso 