1.31.2009

"Writing the Events of a Winter Day"

This year the first month,
the days aren’t warm;
When cold hits the village
what do people do?

Idly
Hearing a woodpecker –
Is a monk at the door
Begging?
Crossed with snow,
The pine tint deepens;
Carrying ice,
A creek crashes harsh.

I chant a poem
And turn to silent sitting:
too lazy to answer
The kid’s question.
- Wei Ye
(A Drifting Boat, trans Paul Hansen)

1 comment:

K. E. Crose said...

There are lots of things that can't be put in the microwave. It's rather sad.