Where could evening wandering be so fine?
Here along Po-ko shores, the moon bright,
mountain light trembles on drifted snow,
and gibbon shadow hangs from cold branches.
Only when this exquisite light dies away,
only then I turn my oars and start back.
When I came, it was such bright clear joy.
Now, it’s all these thoughts of you again.
translated by David Hinton
Month: March 2021
like a phoenix: for Vessy
like a phoenix
she rises at dawn
fire in her eyes
in the pit
of her stomach
there is so much
she wants
all the universe
has to offer
to swallow life whole
on the road
to discovery
all of it
all
her hunger yearning
this phoenix
rising
Wandering Up Lo-fu Creek on a Spring Day by Li Po
At the canyon’s mouth, I’m singing. Soon
the path ends. People don’t go any higher.
I scramble up cliffs into impossible valleys,
and follow the creek back toward its source.
Up where newborn clouds rise over open rock,
a guest come into wildflower confusions,
I’m still lingering on, my climb unfinished,
as the sun sinks away west of peaks galore.
translated by David Hinton
Teasing Tu Fu by Li Po
Here on the summit of Fan-k’o Mountain, it’s Tu Fu
under a midday sun sporting his huge farmer’s hat.
How is it you’ve gotten so thin since we parted?
Must be all those poems you’ve been suffering over.
translated by David Hinton
To Send Far Away by Li Po
So much beauty home–flowers filled the house.
So much beauty gone–nothing but this empty bed,
your embroidered quilt rolled up, never used.
It’s been three years. Your scent still lingers,
your scent gone and yet never ending.
But now you’re gone, never to return,
thoughts of you yellow leaves falling,
white dew glistening on green moss.
translated by Daviid Hinton
Avoiding Farewell in a Chin-ling Wineshop by Li Po
Breezes filling the inn with willow-blossom scents,
elegant girls serve wine, enticing us to try it.
Chin-ling friends come to see me off, I try to leave
but cannot, so we linger out another cup together.
I can’t tell anymore. Which is long and which short,
the river flowing east or thoughts farewell brings on?
translated by David Hinton
Crooked River Meditation by Tu Fu
Each falling petal diminishes spring.
Ten thousand of them sadden me.
Spring flowers pale, and I grieve,
and ease my remorse with wine.
Kingfishers nest in the temple hall.
A stone unicorn adorns a royal grave.
Taking my pleasures where I find them,
I fill my cup again.
translated by Sam Hamill
Song for a Young General by Tu Fu
Brocade threads and summer reeds
weave a tune of clouds and breezes.
How many times in one man’s life
can he listen to heaven’s music?
translated by Sam Hamill
this heavy heart
oh for relief
from the weight
of this heavy heart
never so clear
the lie
that one tells oneself
that whiskey
helps one forget
is never so clear
to me
as it is
tonight
Leonard Durso 