Selected Poems of Du Fu by Watson Burton; Watson Burton ;

Author:Watson, Burton; Watson, Burton ;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LIT008000, Literary Criticism/Asian/General, POE009000, Poetry/Asian
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: 2003-03-10T05:00:00+00:00

54

I’m getting old—stupid, listless,

can’t seem to plan my course in life.

Nothing to eat, I ask after the “happy land”;1

no clothes, I dream of southern climes.

At the source of the Han, tenth month and on,

they say the weather’s like bracing autumn,

grass and trees not yet yellowed or stripped,

mountains and waters more wonderful still.

Chestnut Pavilion—a most auspicious name!

Surely rich farmlands must surround it,

lots of wild yams to fill the belly,

honeycombs in the cliffs, easy to gather,

thick-groved bamboo sending up winter shoots,

clear ponds just right for boating.

True, there’s the hardship of a lengthy journey,

but hopefully I’ll find outings I’ve always longed for.

This place straddles a major highway,

fearful bustle of people coming and going,

but I don’t mix in such matters—not my nature,

and its hill and stream outings don’t ease my cares.

In its streambeds, no precious stones;

its garrison fields yield only meager harvest.

What is here to solace an old man?

Disillusioned, I’ve no wish to stay any longer.

Sun’s hues hidden behind the lone outpost,

crows cawing, massed on the town walls;

at midnight I set off by wagon,

water my horse in cold embankment streams.

Stars and moon strewn high above,

chance stragglings of cloud and mist;

so huge the compass of heaven and earth,

so long the road I travel!

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