A lone bird lands on a towering tree
having heard from afar of the gardens of Wu
lamenting the history of a thousand years
at sunset I lean against Changmen Gate
translated by Red Pine
Month: January 2017
Anna rises
in the morning
Anna rises
naked
to stretch
arms encircling light
as the room
breathes her scent
then exhales her
into the world
we climbed the rocks
it was
at that steak house
on the coast
we climbed the rocks
later
after having surf & turf
and talked
more or less
about the state
of our ununion
funny
how little remains
in my memory
just a faint taste
of lobster
the sound
of waves
hitting rock
and the sad smile
slowly fading
from your lips
Anna in water
there is a dance
one does
in water
a dance Anna knows
so well
step high
swing low
the river current
strong and sure
her dress tugs
against her thighs
lift up
arms out
like spreading wings
and fly Anna
over water
to the sky
beyond
Anna at the window
her face turned
three quarter profile
gazing pensively
at the city half asleep
snow falling
a cathedral bell rings
in the distance
her breasts rise
with her breathing
as she ponders
the future
still a blank canvas
to draw upon
for Anna asleep
your naked body
stretched out
on the bed
sunlight leaks
through lace curtains
eyes closed
your dreams
filled with Chopin
as images
only you see
are painted
on the walls
of your imagination
from Chords by Bei Dao
When you fall asleep on the beach
The wind pulls up short at your mouth
Waves stealthily lap nearby
Shaped in soft curves
The dream is all alone
The sea is much too far away
translated by Fang Dai, Dennis Ding, & Edward Morin
Spring Thoughts by Li Po (Li Bai)
When grasses in Yen ripple like emerald silk
and lush mulberry branches sag in Ch’in,
he’ll dream of coming home one day,
and I’ll still be waiting, brokenhearted.
We’re strangers, spring wind and I. Why is it
here, slipping inside my gauze bed-curtains?
translated by David Hinton
always the cat
always the cat
climbing on whatever
chair desk bed cabinet
necessary
to remind me
he’s still around
A Sigh From A Staircase Of Jade by Li Po (Li Bai)
Her jade-white staircase is cold with dew;
Her silk soles are wet, she lingered there so long. . .
Behind her closed casement, why is she still waiting,
Watching through its crystal pane the glow of the autumn moon?
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
Leonard Durso 