Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Partridge Sky



Partridge Sky

forest groves cut off mountain dawn, bamboo hides the walls,
cicadas’ hubbub fades in grass by the small pond—
white birds appear reeling & reeling again through the sky,
lotus shines vermilion, its delicate scent on the water—

past the cottages,
near the ancient city,
I stroll quietly on goosefoot cane, turning to the oblique light—
thanks to yesterday’s midnight rain
I get another cool day in this drifting life


Translation by Jack Hayes
© 2017
based on Su Shi: 鷓鴣天
zhè gū tiān


Many thanks as always to Sheila Graham-Smith for her helpful suggestions.


Image links to its source on Wiki Commons:
“Autumn Skies Part”: Guo Xi. Song Dynasty – Public domain



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