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The Journey to the West

Though we journey to the West We pray to the East More or less that's the way Each day begins and ends It’s a tale everyone ...

Saturday, July 27, 2019

An Interpreter of Stone (for @maryfrancesness)


A true interpreter of stone
Beggars all distinction
She brings us back to
Those wordless poems
We once knew by heart
The daybreak dreams
Sung with utmost clarity
By a bird perched
On our windowsill

She lets each stone 
Become its very own
Cup of forgetfulness
From which we may drink 
To our heart's content of
Sediment rich in flavor

Upon the rock she plants
Her seal of authenticity
Making of it mind's first canvas
Stretched well beyond 
Its normal frame

Whereon each spec of color 
Speaks of an ultimate truth
Most vivid though muted
And countless shapes 
Hold fast while dancing
About like tongues of flame

Thus we may begin to divine
A stone's original intent
Although it must remain
Forever nameless

Image by @maryfrancesness

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

On Crossing Without a Ferry (Han Shan)


Ignorance in a prior lifetime
Makes awakening less certain today

Whatever seems lacking in this life
Always stems from a prior life’s wrongs

And if you don’t strive to improve today
The next life will proceed as before

There’s no ferry boat waiting
On either shore of this vast expanse
Yet somehow we manage the hard crossing 


生前大愚痴
今日悟
今日如许贫
是前生作

今生又不修
来生如故
两岸各无船
渺渺难济

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Q & A in the Middle of the Mountains (by Li Bai)


Ask why I stay
So many days
In these blue green mountains

A laugh is my only answer    
Leisure fills my heart

As a peach blossom
Falls into the river
To be carried far away
On the current

Apart from Heaven and Earth
From the human realm estranged







山中

李白

余何意栖碧山
笑而不答心自
桃花流水窅然去
有天地非人