Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Lone Wild Goose



Lone Wild Goose


the lone wild goose does not drink or peck;
it flies crying out, missing its flock—

who will pity this fragment of shadow?
lost from its mates in ten thousand layers of cloud—

gazing to the distance, seeming to catch a glimpse;
so much grief, as if to hear them again—

in the field, crows without a thought for it,
call out & caw as always in confusion



Translation by Jack Hayes
© 2017
based on Du Fu:  孤雁
gū yàn


Image links to its source on Wiki Commons:
“The Hundred Geese”, traditionally attributed to Ma Fen, China, Northern Song dynasty, probably late 13th or early 14th century, handscroll, ink on paper.
Public domain


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