Wednesday, March 30, 2016

ancient air #7


ancient air #7


there is an immortal wanderer, riding atop a crane
flying & flying across the High Translucence

he raises his voice in the midst of jade-green clouds
& pronounces his own tranquil name: An Qi

two by two, the jade white children
play music on their violet luan-bird shengs

shadows take flight at once & turn invisible
the wind circles back transporting their heavenly sound

I lift my head to gaze at them in the distance
where they’re floating & they’re flowing like the stars

& I hope to dine on grass of golden light
granting longevity until heaven collapses



Jack Hayes
© 2016
based on Li Bai:
古風 (七)
gŭ fēng (qī)


Image links to its source on Wiki Commons:瑞鶴 (Auspicious Cranes) 1112 (Song Dynasty): handscroll - ink and color on silk.
Public domain



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