In Reply to Chia P’eng of the Mountains, Sent Upon Seeing That the Pine He Planted Outside My Office Has Begun to Prosper by Liu Tsung-yüan

/ zdunno03

Flourish and ruin keep leaving each other,
but no-mind stays, dark-enigma’s fruition.

The bloom of youth scatters steadily away
and grandeur crumbles to its tranquil end,

but mountain streams continue here in this
green pine you brought to this courtyard,

deep snows showing off its radiant beauty
and cold blossoms its kingfisher-greens.

At dawn, even a pure recluse must yearn:
now, I just invite clear wind for company.

translated by David Hinton

7 thoughts on “In Reply to Chia P’eng of the Mountains, Sent Upon Seeing That the Pine He Planted Outside My Office Has Begun to Prosper by Liu Tsung-yüan”

  2. ‘Flourish and ruin keep leaving each other’ — first, this is fantastic. Second, this reminds me of a Shakespeare sonnet I love (from memory, which may not be right):

    Ruin hath taught me this
    to ruminate
    that time will come and take my love away.
    This thought is as a death which cannot choose
    But weep to have that which it fears to lose.

    🙂

    Reply

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