My friendship with Lu was the dearest of my life
when he arrived in Hengyang his body multiplied
suddenly from your sleeve some lines of his appeared
seeing my old friend I had to wipe the tears
translated by Red Pine
Month: July 2023
The Hat Given to the Poet by Li Chen by Po Chü-i
Long ago a white-haired gentleman
You made the present of a black gauze hat.
The gauze hat still sits on my head;
But you already are gone to the Nether Springs.
The thing is old, but still fit to wear;
The man is gone and will never be seen again.
Out on the hill the moon is shining to-night
And the trees on your tomb are swayed by the autumn wind.
translated by Arthur Waley
Oaths of Friendship by anonymous poets of Yüeh
1
If you were riding in a coach
And I were wearing a “li”*
And one day we met in the road,
You would get down and bow.
If you were carrying a “teng,”**
And I were riding on a horse,
And one day we met in the road
I would get down for you.
2
SHANG YA!
I want to be your friend
For ever and ever without break or decay.
When the hills are all flat
And the rivers are all dry,
When it lightens and thunders in winter,
When it rains and snows in summer,
When Heaven and Earth mingle—
Not till then will I part from you.
translated by Arthur Waley
*a peasant’s straw coat
**an umbrella under which wares are sold
River-Snow by Liu Tsung-yüan
A hundred mountains and no bird,
A thousand paths without a footprint;
A little boat, a bamboo cloak,
An old man fishing in the cold river-snow.
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
Written at the First Sign of White Hair about the Pomegranate I Planted by Liu Tsung-yüan
It’s been a few years since I planted this sweet thing
my cheeks aren’t the same as its blooms anymore
henceforth I won’t speak of spring anymore
looking at this old bush then this old man
translated by Red Pine
Presented to a Lady Within the Palace by Chang Yu
Forbidden gate, palace trees, a moon’s flitting trace,
seductive eyes gaze askance at night-nesting egrets.
Leaning, she plucks her jade hairpin in the lamplight,
Pricks apart the ruddy flame to save a flying moth.
translated by Ronald C. Miao
Viewing Mountains with His Reverence Hao Ch’u To My Friends and Relatives in the Capital by Liu Tsung-yüan
The coastal mountains are as sharp as swords;
When autumn comes each cleaves my sore heart.
If my body could be dissolved into a thousand selves,
I’d have them scattered on the highest peaks to gaze homeward.
translated by Jan W. Walls
Feeling Old Age by Liu Tsung-yüan
I’ve always known that old age would arrive,
and suddenly now I witness its encroach.
This year, luckily, I’ve not weakened much
but gradually it comes to seek me out.
Teeth scattered, hair grown short,
To run or hurry, I haven’t the strength.
So, I cry, what’s to be done!
And yet, why should I suffer?
P’eng-tsu and Lao Tzu no more exist;
Chuang Tzu and K’ung Tzu too are gone.
Of those whom the ancients called “immortal saints”
not one is left today.
I only wish for fine wine
and friends who will often help me pour.
Now that spring is drawing to a close
and peach and plum produce abundant shade
and the sun lights up the azure sky
and far, far, the homeward goose cries,
I step outside, greeting those I love,
and climb to the western woods with the aid of my staff.
Singing out loud is enough to cheer me up;
the ancient hymns have overtones.
translated by Jan W. Walls
my uniform at home
a torn t-shirt
I’m too fond of
to use as a rag
champion sweatpants
a little worse for wear
and those old scuffs
my housekeeper Fatma
shakes her head at
each time she cleans the soles
this my uniform at home
I often wonder
what I would wear
if someone came to call
but luckily
I don’t invite anyone
except Ali
who knows me 23 years
and used to see me
at work
in a tie
those still hang
in my closet
like some ribbons
from a long ago war
I happily retired from
in the backyards below
so peaceful
sitting on the balcony
the occasional gull
my only companions
and the sound
of children laughing
at play
in the backyards
below
Leonard Durso 