Deer gather in flocks by nature;
What man comes up to these white clouds?
In the mountains there are no worldly concerns:
To the end of my days mellowed in wine.
translated by William H. Nienhauser
Month: August 2014
in my hands
there’s a stone
a crystal
in my hands
luminous
aglow
I rub it
polish it
hold it
feel the heat
emulating
from this crystal
in my hands
and am warmed
inside
a fire spreading
like magic
from my hands
to my heart
from Fisherman’s Songs: Poem 2 by Chang Chih-ho
Oh, about the joy of owning a crab hut at Sung-chiang!
A dish of wild rice and watercress soup make a repast taken in company.
The maple leaves drop,
The flowers of the wild chrysanthemums are dry,
Drunk on a fishing boat one does not feel the cold.
translated by Hellmut Wilhelm
in threes
Wes said
everything
good or bad
happens in threes
so two accidents
the head the arm
and then the tooth
that makes three
the new job
is one
don’t count the move
Ali says
that’s part
of the same thing
so Eastern teahouse
are you two
and if so
what oh lord
could possibly be
three
unpacking memories
opening boxes
separating items
these memories
of an eventful life
in my hands
soon to be placed
on shelves
while music plays
from decades ago
and though I thought
I was safe
from pain regret remorse
there is no escape
from memories
in one’s hands
outside of boxes
laid bare
like one’s heart
decades ago
decades ahead
the here and now
from Fisherman’s Songs: Poem 1 by Chang Chih-ho
Near the rim of Hsa-sai Mountain, white egrets fly;
Peach blossoms, flowing stream, and perches full grown.
Oh, for a broad-brimmed bamboo hat, and a cloak of straw!
Slanting wind, fine rain, one need not go home.
translated by Irving Y. Lo
basic relationship: cat & man
the cat sleeps
on my arm
anchors me down
with his love
basic relationship
no misunderstandings
no mixed messages
he wants
he gives
he gets
cat and man
at home
together
in peace
Leonard Durso 