Seeing the Year Out by Su Tung-p’o

Want to know what the passing year is like?
A snake slithering down a hole.
Half his long scales already hidden,
how to stop him from getting away?
Grab his tail and pull, you say?
Pull all you like–it does no good.
The children try hard not to doze,
chatter back and forth to stay awake,
but I say let dawn cocks keep still!
I fear the noise of watch drums pounding.
We’ve sat so long the lamp’s burned out.
I get up and look at the slanting Dipper.
How could I hope next year won’t come?
My mind shrinks from the failures it may bring.
I work to hold on to the night
while I can still brag I’m young.

translated by Burton Watson

13 thoughts on “Seeing the Year Out by Su Tung-p’o

  1. That’s a magnificent poem, Leonard. Seriously stoical: not exactly over-optimistic let’s say, but it fits my mood exactly in these deeply divisive times. However, putting the state of the world to one side, let me wish you personally a very happy 2022.

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