Wednesday, November 15, 2006

At Truth-Expanse Monastery, in the Dharma Master's West Library by Wei Ying-wu

I found this library poem in Mountain Home: The Wilderness Poetry of Ancient China translated by David Hinton.

At Truth-Expanse Monastery, in the Dharma Master's West Library

At a thatch hut above riverside cliffs,

rapids far below: crystalline chimes


in vast river-and-mountains solitude.

Climbing in to such views means pure


confusion. I straggled up First-Origin,

then followed Well-Creek Trail back to


temple trees hissing in endless winds,

this river lit with regret turning dark.


Wei Ying-wu (c.737-792)

This rural library sounds like it has a spectacular view, and it must be nice hearing the chimes. I hope the thatch is well-maintained to keep the collection dry. The poet indicates that he never finds all the seats taken. I think the path to the library may need better signs. The poet senses a regret. Is it that the library is not more conveniently located?

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