and once again ’cause this is where I am now: TOGETHER, WE ALL GO OUT UNDER THE CYPRESS TREES IN THE CHOU FAMILY BURIAL-GROUNDS by T’ao Ch’ien

Today’s skies are perfect for a clear
flute and singing koto. And touched

this deeply by those laid under these
cypress trees, how could we neglect joy?

Clear songs drift away anew. Emerald wine
starts pious faces smiling. Not knowing

what tomorrow brings, it’s exquisite
exhausting whatever I feel here and now.

translated by David Hinton

2 thoughts on “and once again ’cause this is where I am now: TOGETHER, WE ALL GO OUT UNDER THE CYPRESS TREES IN THE CHOU FAMILY BURIAL-GROUNDS by T’ao Ch’ien

  1. I imagine that it would be blissful under the cypress trees. But why am I thinking of Hemingway in Spain. waiting with guns.

    Or do old men dream too often or not often enough?

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