To the Tune of “Partridge Sky” by Su Tung-p’o

Mountains shine through forest breaks, bamboo hides the wall;
withered grass by small ponds, jumbled cicada cries.
White birds again and again cut across the sky;
faint scent of lotus shining pink on the water.

Beyond the village,
by old town walls,
with goosefoot cane I stroll where late sunlight turns.
Thanks to rain that fell at the third watch last night
I get another cool day in this floating world.

translated by Burton Watson

South Hall by Su Tung-p’o

Sweep the floor, burn incense, close the door to sleep;
a mat marked like water, curtains like mist.
I dream a guest comes, wake wondering where I am,
prop open the west window on waves that meet the sky.

translated  by Burton Watson

Across a thousand by Wang An-shih

Across a thousand hundred-twist trails through forest hills,
a painting’s wind-mist silvers autumn into a single color,

nothing left but the beauty of wandering out impulse here.
Red poplar-tears: what grief scatters them across streams?

translated by David Hinton

Self-Portrait 1 by Wang An-shih

It’s all mirage illusion, like cinnabar-and-azure paintings, this
human world. We wander here for a time, then vanish into dust.

Things aren’t other than they are. That’s all anyone can know.
Don’t ask if this thing I am today is the thing I was long ago.

translated  by David Hinton