all the past the present
flows oh so swiftly
on this endless river
of the heart
to the future
which will oh so soon
become the present the past
as the heart’s river
flows on
and on
on this oh too brief journey
of our lives
from Poem Two of Meandering River, Two Poems by Tu Fu
I’d whisper to the wind and light: “Together let’s tarry;
We shall enjoy the moment, and never contrary be.”
translated by Irving Y. Lo
from To the Waters of the Chia-ling, Two Poems: Poem Two by Yüan Chen
You, waters with no feeling,
Have you regrets as you flow east?
In my heart are things I cannot express,
Does that make me different from you?
translated by William H. Nienhauser
“So friends, every day do something that won’t compute.”
from Douglas Moore’s Art of Quotation
“So friends, every day do something that won’t compute.”
Wendell Berry, poet, novelist
from Orchid and Orange (A Plea for Official Preferment): II by Chang Chiu-ling
Here, south of the Yang-tsze, grows a red orange-tree.
All winter long its leaves are green,
Not because of a warmer soil,
But because its nature is used to the cold.
Though it might serve your honourable guests,
You leave it here, far below mountain and river.
Circumstance governs destiny.
Cause and effect are an infinite cycle.
You plant your peach-trees and your plums,
You forget the shade from this other tree.
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
“Most people, in fact, will not take the trouble in finding out the truth, but are much more inclined to accept the first story they hear.”
from Douglas Moore’s Art of Quotation
“Most people, in fact, will not take the trouble in finding out the truth, but are much more inclined to accept the first story they hear.”
from a line by Rodney Crowell: every turn in my road
every turn
in my road
every spill
on my way
all the lies
in my ear
all the hurt
in my heart
all the dust
from my eyes
brought me here
brought me here
