At Hsieh Cove by Yang Wan-li

The ox path I’m on ends in a rabbit trail, and suddenly
I’m facing open plains and empty sky on all four sides.

My thoughts follow white egrets–a pair taking flight,
leading sight across a million blue mountains rising

ridge beyond ridge, my gaze lingering near then far,
enthralled by peaks crowded together or there alone.

Even a hill or valley means thoughts beyond knowing–
and all this? A crusty old man’s now a wide-eyed child!

translated by David Hinton

The Autumn Brook by Hsüeh T’ao

It has turned crystal clear lately
And flows away like a ribbon of smoke
With a music like a ten strınged zither.
The sound penetrates to my pillow,
And turns my mind to past loves,
And won’t let me sleep for melancholy.

translated by Kenneth Rexroth & Ling Chung

bereft of dreams

there they are
those faces
from the past
filtering through
my dreams
causing confusion
asking questions
that can no longer
be answered
about their take
on events
long gone
and I break
an oath
pour whiskey
down my throat
in the vain attempt
to find sleep
bereft of dreams

Outside My Office, Wandering In Moonlight by Wei Ying-wu

Outside this office, night such luminous depths,
the lovely moon’s a delight wandering with me.

Descending across the river, it comes halfway
adrift on dew-tinged air, then suddenly startles

autumn, scattering color through open forests,
scrawling its disk on the current’s utter clarity.

And reaching mind, it bestows boundless light
all silver-pure azure eluding us to perfection.

translated by David Hinton

the call of the wild

he sits
intently listening
the call of the wild
feral cats
crying for food
attention
envying him
his comfort
from the storms
the cold
the night
and he
wondering
what he’s lost
of his nature
to live
beholding
to no man
just his own wits
himself
and I
understanding
both001

what a life

peanut butter
from the jar
crunchy of course
for dinner
plus bits and pieces
of steak
graciously given to me
by a neighbor
for Bayramı
and a glass
of ice cold water
man
what a life
I lead
then back to Katzenzakis
bound and determined
to finish this
by dawn’s light