Fresh Wood (for Luo Xue) Wen Tianxiang (1236-1283) A sigh, sigh sound from woods up high to low;We close the gate and cover up with fur—Spring feelings flow along the mountain gorge;At dawn I rise to touch and look at her. Chinese 贈羅雪崖樵青文天祥 蕭蕭山下人閉門衣裘單春心動溪谷曉起捫松看 Pronunciation Zèng Luó Xuě Yá …
Read MoreBetween the Rain and Sun
We live in drought As summer sings to fallMy wandering clothes Have filled with filth through all A sunny view Along the road I cameTo pray for peace On a night of calming rain The rooftop tiles Have washed with water’s lashThe rusted drains Have carried off …
Read MoreA Country Road
The moon has shadowed me, like stillborn air Along a country road, adrift in threads, Behind a worn out wheel, the pedals bare, As time leaves nothing here but cast off dead. I share these words with clouds in wind-washed treads, Where rock-strewn shores in …
Read MoreWestern Clouds
The sun goes up and soars on to the end For me to chase somewhere beyond, alone; Today I’m here to rest and meet a friend, By dawn I’m off to seek a shore unknown. It’s been near fifteen years without a rest And now …
Read MoreGazing at the Snow Peak of Zhongnan
Above the mountain dark and deepThe snow clouds form a floating quill;But though these woods are clear and bright,Inside the town I feel it chill. Chinese Pronunciation 終南望餘雪 Zhōng Nán Wàng Yú Xuě 終南陰嶺秀， Zhōng nán yīn lǐng xiù ， 積雪浮雲端。 …
Read MoreFarewell to a Dear Friend
Within the mountain midst, a farewell scene:I shut my door, the sun begins to set.In spring next year the grass will turn to green,But if you’ll come back here, I know not yet. Chinese 送別 山中相送罷，日暮掩柴扉。春草明年綠，王孫歸不歸。 Pronunciation Sòng Bié Shān zhōng xiāng sòng bà，Rì mù yǎn chái fēi。Chūn cǎo nián nián …
Read MoreIsland of Song
Afar I row a little boat,An island of song and show;Ashore I leave a nighttime noteOf footsteps laid below. For now it drizzles mist ahead,Mixed in with dark night green;I walk a path where willows tread,A painted river scene. I open the door and see a roomOf …
Read MoreIdle Spring
Today no toll in work or soulAs spring is green with ease;In Central Park I make my markTo see the cherry trees. A bird lets out its welcome shoutBeneath the building glass;The wind lets bare a woman’s hairIn lovely, flowing mass. I know the moon will come …
Read MoreManhattan Sky
Ten years ago I saw you on a beachBeneath the empty sky, a silhouetteOf sun and sand, a dream within my reachBeside a patch of dawn-lit grass still wet. But in the great wide distance lies a dreamMixed in with siren sounds that echo still,A vow …
Read MoreA City Asleep
Each day in lights and city streets,Construction sounds that crack the air;Or horns that break in crazy beatsAt roadblocks halting everywhere. I seek somewhere a patch of grassBeyond a thousand concrete bridges,A place where I shall passA skyline filled with mountain ridges. But now the air is …
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