On Dong Yang Creek - The Answer in a Moment's Passing

This is an exquisite little poem by Xie Ling Yun, a Chinese poet of the 4th century.  On the one hand, it's a simple folk song that tells the story of an encounter, or non-encounter, between a man and a woman along the banks of the Dong Yang River.  The first verse is sung by the man and the second verse is sung by the woman, which makes it easy to imagine this duet being performed by the 4th century equivalent of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.  But the poem also invites another layer of meaning. Xie Ling Yun was a lifelong practicing Buddhist and the two verses together present a vivid image of life's ephemeral passage on the banks of Dong Yang Creek. 

How lovely on the riverbank

Whose wife do you suppose that is

So karma flows on as she

Washes silken clothes

The bright moon

In the midst of the clouds

Playing hide and seek

Just out of reach

How lovely on the passing barge

Whose husband do you suppose that is

So karma flows on as

He goes downriver

Take note of this feeling

As if it were real

The moon passes

Amidst the clouds waning

东阳溪中赠答

谢灵运

可怜谁家妇

缘流洗素足

明月在云间

迢迢不可得

可怜谁家郎

缘流乘素舸

但问情若为

月就云中堕