The wafting east wind and rays of sublime light
as the moon crossed the porch perfume filled the air
worried the night was late and flowers about to sleep
I held up a candle to see her red dress
translated by Red Pine
Month: March 2016
Returning to Linkao at Night by Su Tung-p’o
Drunk tonight at East Slope sobered up then drank again
it was after midnight when I finally made it home
the houseboy was asleep and snoring like thunder
I knocked on the gate but nobody answered
leaning on my cane I listened to the river
Long have I regretted this life I don’t control
will I ever stop running errands
with night about to end and a night wind on the water
I’m leaving in my sampan
to spend my last years on the river
translated by Red Pine
A Song of “Night After Night” by Ou-yang Hsiu
The drifting clouds disgorge a bright moon,
Its fleeting shadow darkens the jade staircase.
A thousand li away we share the same reflection,
But how can I let you know this heart night after night?
translated by Irving Y. Lo
what I said
that’s right
all of it
every word
and also add
what I didn’t
say
too
the picture
frozen
in time
to burn
forever
in memory
Spring Dawn by Meng Hao-jan
Sleeping in spring oblivious of dawn
everywhere I hear birds
after the wind and rain last night
I wonder how many petals fell
translated by Red Pine
Awakening by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar
And now life’s desolate twilight hour starts
Beyond distant cypresses daylight departs.
The garden of spring don the brightest sun,
The river’s voice rises and then is gone.
The nightingale sings of love’s sorrows
While rings of fire burn the rims of the rose.
translated by Talat S. Halman
where something is
not knowing where
something is
shouldn’t keep one
from looking
for it
Dawn Over The Mountains by Tu Fu
The city is silent,
Sound drains away,
Buildings vanish in the light of dawn,
Cold sunlight comes on the highest peak,
The thick dust of night
Clings to the hills,
The earth opens,
The river boats are vague,
The sky still–
The sound of falling leaves.
A huge doe comes to the garden gate,
Lost from the herd,
Seeking its fellows.
translated by Kenneth Rexroth
Poem Composed on Horseback and Sent to Tzu-you after Parting at the West Gate of Chengchou on the Nineteenth Day of the Eleventh Month by Su Tung-p’o
Why do I feel drunk without drinking
my heart is following your saddle horse
your thoughts are already with our father
but how shall I deal with this loneliness of mine
climbing above the ramparts between us
all I see is your bobbing black hat
the weather is so cold and your robe so thin
and you’re riding that nag beneath a waning moon
“On the road people sing at home they’re happy”
offered my attendant seeing me so sad
of course I know life is full of partings
what bothers me is how fast it’s passing
remember when we faced that sputtering lamp
listening to the wind that rain-filled night
that is something I know you won’t forget
don’t fall in love with a government career
translated by Red Pine
Leonard Durso 