Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Sleepless



Sleepless


Qutang in the night: its waters black;
within the city, the watch changes—

shaded, shaded, the moon sinks in fog;
shining, shining, stars near the tower—

life faltering, accepting less sleep;
mind fragile, hating to know sorrow—

ramparts spreading in mountain valleys;
Peach Blossom Spring existing nowhere



Translation by Jack Hayes
© 2017
based on Du Fu: 不寐
bù mèi


Image links to its source on Wiki Commons:
“Clouds Rising from the Green Sea”, from a series of paintings of water: Ma Yuan, circa 1225 CE. ink on silk.
Public domain

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by & sharing your thoughts. Please do note, however, that this blog no longer accepts anonymous comments. All comments are moderated. Thanks for your patience.