Showing posts with label Shih Shu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shih Shu. Show all posts

Saturday, August 7, 2021

the world rolls right on

 
 
 
 

 
 
mountain sounds carry a chill wisdom
an upwelling spring whispers subtle tales
pine breezes stir the fire beneath my tea
bamboo shadows soak deep into my robe

I grind my ink: clouds scraping across the crags
copy out a verse: birds settling on branches
as the world rolls right on by
its every turn tracing out non-action
 
 
 
 
 
~ Shih Shu 
English version by James H. Sanford
from  The Clouds Should Know Me By Now: 
Buddhist Poet Monks of China
 Edited by Red Pine 
with thanks to Poetry Chaikhana