Composing "Immortal by the River" Once More

2008/1/16 16:18:23

Leaving tonight — first to Hankou, then on to Shenzhen. Let's see if fate connects me with Hubei this year, whether I can get something going. Before I leave, one more "Immortal by the River." I probably won't be able to write a post until Sunday or Monday evening. My apologies.

"Immortal by the River"

Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán

The great dream sinks deep, deep into the eternal night
How many bouts of rain-boiled, wind-steamed
Heaven's heart like a sea, the sea as if capsizing
One roar and clouds scatter in alarm
A thousand rivers and the moon blazes bright

Idly pounding the Toad-Moon, emptying the Northern Dipper
Atop Mount Sumeru, striding free
Heaven and earth, past and present — fire within ice
Departing, luminous and austere
Its shadow tempers ten thousand household lamps