ground cover rots in these autumn rains
though under the steps the sicklepod blooms, the
blunt green leaves canopy branches like feathers
uncounted blossoms flash yellow as coins
the cold wind whistles and buffets you
I’m afraid you won’t be able to stand against it
upstairs the scholar his white hair uncovered faces the
wind breathes in the fragrance three times, weeps
Jack Hayes
© 2014
based on Du Fu: 秋雨叹三首 (一)
qiū yǔ tàn sān shǒu (yī)
Image links to its source on Wiki Commons
Zhang Lu – “Hasty Return Before the Rain”; (15th-16th century) ink & color on silk
I like this :) especially the line: though under the steps the sicklepod blooms.
ReplyDelete