Poems

Temple Tree Path Narrow path sunless temple locust tree Deep dark much green moss Should gate except meet sweep In case have hill monk come A […]

The Bamboo Grove Sitting alone among dark bamboo, Play: lift my voice, into deep trees. Where am I? No one knows. Only White Moon finds me […]

The Beautiful Xi Shi Since beauty is honoured all over the Empire, How could Xi Shi remain humbly at home? — Washing clothes at dawn by […]

The Cornel Grove Bear fruit red and green Again as if flower further open Hill at if remain guest Place here cornel cup When bearing fruit […]

The Deer Enclosure Meet no one on the empty mountain. Hear only echoes of men’s voices. Light falls through the deep wood, Shines softly on the […]

The Recluse Every way the emerald trees’ shadows. Each day’s green moss free of dust. Wild-haired, stretch-legged, he sits By the high pine with half-open eyes.

The Stone Ledge On the stone ledge above the water, Where willow leaf-tips drink the wine. If you say the spring breeze has no meaning, Why […]

The Ten Stages of Perception Up through bamboo. Leave the First Stage: Pass Illusion: Go by Lotus Mountain: Through the Pass, there’s the whole of Ch’u: […]

Thinking of My Brothers… Alone now in a strange country, feeling myself a stranger, On this bright festival day I doubly pine for my kinsfolk. Far […]

Three Songs For Lady Pan Fireflies flash on mica screens. No echo in Golden Halls. Seen through gauze the autumn night Where the lonely light shines. […]