This is a very beautiful poem Gary I can't think of any changes bw sally j


>From: Gary Blankenship <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: New:  Standing before a Teacher
>Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 14:00:08 -0700
>
>(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.
>
>*
>
>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.
>
>
>
>GO TO http://www.mindfirerenew.com/ THE BEST NEW ZINE ON THE WEB.
>Issue 1 ready to read.    Poets for Peace.... ˇPoemas sí, balas no!

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