a variation on Mei Yao-ch’en for Qiaoen traveling in China: this little boat

May 31, 2020 / zdunno03 / 2 Comments

this little boat
out to sea
and you
sitting on a cushion
on the deck
your almost naked body
basking in the sun
a hand cupping breast
your uplifted face
open to the light
awaits the morning

in answer to Su Tung-p’o new year’s wish: no holding on

January 1, 2020 / zdunno03 / 11 Comments

there is no holding on
to the night before
dawn breaks
as dawn always does
and we find another year
has passed beyond our grip
older, yes
wiser, maybe
but facing another year
long as before
with whatever hope
we can muster
to get through
all the nights
and dawns
ahead

oh little boat

December 29, 2019 / zdunno03 / 7 Comments

have courage
oh little boat
riding the current
on this raging river
heading out
to sea

from an image in a poem of Liu Tsung-yuan: puny wings

October 15, 2019 / zdunno03 / 1 Comment

these weary arms
are like puny wings
flapping ceaselessly
in a vain attempt
to reach heaven

following Li Shang-yin’s bluebird

May 19, 2019 / zdunno03 / 7 Comments

there the path
there that bird
that leads the way
oh to follow
over brambles through bush
a clear sky overhead
and hope residing
in these weary bones
in this worn heart