" Standing Before a Teacher "
(Author's Note: The sixth in a series of transformations of Wang Wei’s River Wang poems. A River Transformed VI: after Wang Wei’s Jinzhu Ridge )
Standing before a Teacher
Brush to ink, ink to paper,
paper given to fire, green flames released.
The teacher spoke, “As empty as a barkless tree,
hollow as bones that strike a bamboo drum.”
Masked and hooded birds, specks to the eye
disturb the branches of trembling aspens.
The wind divides a waterfall;
water dissolves rock and grass beyond tomorrow.
Why have we taken this narrow road
with its unpredictable turns,
quick drops and impossible climbs?
When we stop, do you expect to rest?
Children at play in wet red clay
laugh at how their pies taste without almonds.
*
(Note: The literal translation on a Chinese web site:
Wingceltis goldenrain shine empty bend
Fresh and green ripple ripples ripples
Secret enter Shang hill road
Woodcutter not able know
www.chinese-poems.com/ww4.html
1. The beginning is often translated as bamboo.
2. Wingceltis is tree used to make fine paper when mixed with rice straw. They are often hollow and when old are venerated.
3. Goldenrain is a large yellow flower often called Chinese lantern.
4. The first line in Chinese is “Tan luan ying kong qu.” Tan-luan is the name of a Chinese poet and Buddhist teacher. The line shows the reach of Wang’s talent.
© 2004 Gary Blankenship
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