Bao Zhao (414-466)

Poem 5.

Don't you see how grass on the riverbank
in winter withers and dies, yet in spring floods the road?
Don't you see how the sun above the walls
evaporates to nothing at dusk
yet tomorrow at dawn is reborn?
But how can we achieve that?
When dead we're dead forever, down in Yellow Springs.
Life has lavish bitterness, is stingy with joy,
and only the young are filled with endless zeal.
So let's just meet whenever we can
and always keep wine-money ready by our beds.
Who cares for rank and fame inscribed on bamboo and silk?
Life, death, acclaim, obscurity–leave them to heaven.

Wen Tingyun (812-870)

So Many Regrets
Tune: “Meng Jiang Nan”
Wen Tingyun
tr. E. C. Chang
Thousands and thousands of regrets.
The most painful one stays in the remote corner.
Mountain and moon know nothing
about what is on my mind.
Rain and wind blow down flowers
in front of my eyes.
The emerald clouds sway slantwise in the sky.

Su Tung-p'o (1037-1101)

Battle of Red Cliff

The Yangtze flows east
Washing away
A thousand ages of great men
West of the ramparts --
People say --
Are the fabled Red Cliffs of young Chou of the Three Kingdoms
Rebellious rocks pierce the sky
Frightening waves rip the bank
The backwash churns vast snowy swells --
River and mountains like a painting
how many heroes passed them, once ...

Think back to those years, Chou Yu --
Just married to the younger Chiao --
Brave, brilliant
With plumed fan, silk kerchief
Laughed and talked
While masts and oars vanished to flying ash and smoke!
I roam through ancient realms
Absurdly moved
Turn gray too soon --
A man's life passes like a dream --
Pour out a cup then, to the river, and the moon

Sami Mansei (fl. 720)

Living in this world -
to what shall I compare it?
Its like a boat
rowing out at break of day,
leaving no trace behind.

Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1768)

The monkey is reaching

by Hakuin

English version by Norman Waddell
Original Language Japanese

The monkey is reaching
For the moon in the water.
Until death overtakes him
He'll never give up.
If he'd let go the branch and
Disappear in the deep pool,
The whole world would shine
With dazzling pureness.

Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481)

It is nice to get a glimpse of a lady bathing--
You scrubbed your flower face and cleansed your lovely body
While this old monk sat in the hot water,
Feeling more blessed than even the emperor of China!

 

Ikkyu Sojun :

Yaichi Aizu (1881-1956)

I stand as though  only I am existing  in heaven  and earth—  at this solitariness  Kannon, you are smiling.	Coming stealthily,  who is it hitting the temple bell?  It is late at night  and time for even the Buddha  to go into dreaming.
In the Lord Buddha's  drowsy eyes  the ancient  country fields of Yamato  Have their hazy existence.

Niu Hsi-Chi

SUNG TO THE TUNE OF
"THE UNRIPE HAWTHORN BERRY"

BY NIU HSI-CHI

MIST is trying to hide the Spring-coloured hills,
The sky is pale, the stars are scattered and few.
The moon is broken and fading, yet there is light on your face,
These are the tears of separation, for now it is bright dawn.
We have said many words,
But our passion is not assuaged.
Turn your head, I have still something to say:
Remember my skirt of green open-work silk,
The sweet-scented grasses everywhere will prevent your forgetting.

T'ao Ch'ien (365-427)

Reading the Classic of Hills and Seas

 

        In the summer grass and trees have grown.

        Over my roof the branches meet.

        Birds settle in the leaves.

        I enjoy my humble place.

        Ploughing’s done, the ground is sown,

        Time to sit and read my book.

        The narrow deeply-rutted lane

        Means my friends forget to call.

        Content, I pour the new Spring wine,

        Go out and gather food I’ve grown.

        A light rain from the East,

        Blows in on a pleasant breeze.

        I read the story of King Mu,

        See pictures of the Hills and Seas.

        One glance finds all of heaven and earth.

        What pleasures can compare with these?