On the sands is seen the sun rising.
On the sands is seen the sun setting.
Regret for having come ten thousand li:
Achievement, fame, what things are these?
translated by Ronald C. Miao
8th Century Chinese poet
from Passing the Temple of Accumulated Fragrance by Wang Wei
meditating
to chase away
the poison dragon of emotion
translated by David Young
from Wandring Up Ample-Gauze Creek on Spring Day by Li Po
I’m still lingering on, my climb unfinished,
as the sun sinks away west of peaks galore.
translated by David Hinton
On Sound by Wei Ying-wu
Ten thousand things are heard when born,
But the highest heaven’s always still.
Yet everything must begin in silence,
And into silence it vanishes.
translated by Irving Y. Lo
Longing in My Heart by Wei Ying-wu
Shall I ask the willow trees on the dike
For whom do they wear their green spring dress?
In vain I saunter to the places of yesterday,
And I do not see yesterday’s people.
Weaving through myriad courtyards and village squares,
Coming and going, the dust of carriages and horses–
Do not say I have met with no acquaintance:
Only they are not those close to my heart.
translated by Irving Y. Lo
Composed at Sunset at the Dunes of Ho-yen by Ts’en Shen
On the sands is seen the sun rising,
On the sands is seen the sun setting.
Regret for having come ten thousand li:
Achievement, fame, what things are these?
Leonard Durso 