puppet play

.

My body lives in the city,

But my essence dwells in the mountains.

The affairs of a puppet play

Are not to be taken too seriously.

When the polar mountain fits into a mustard seed,

All the words in the universe may as well be erased.

My mind is like a jade jar of ice,

Never invaded by even half a mote of dust.

Though the jade jar be obscured without,

I pay no mind at all -

On the terrace of Immortals,

I climb straight to the highest level.

~ Wu Cailuan (9th century)

from Immortal Sisters: Secret Teachings of Taoist Women

photo by Ansel Adams