This was beautiful, David, thanks. Just the thing after a morning
clearing the garden in preparation for winter, and before an afternoon
carrying things to the attic and back in preparation for a new arrival
in the family.
In other words, a proper moment for drinking tea.
--Knut
On Nov 6, 2005, at 09:52, David Bircumshaw wrote:
> which is by a sixteenth century Chinese poet Hsu Ts'eshu. The
> translation is a bit ordinary, I'm afraid, but still, a certain
> leisured charm comes across.
>
> Best
>
> Dave:
>
>
> When one's heart and hands are idle.
> Tired after reading poetry.
> When one's thoughts are disturbed.
> Listening to songs and ditties.
> When a song is completed.
> Shut up at one's home on holiday.
> Playing the ch'in and looking over paintings.
> Engaged in conversation deep at night.
> Before a bright window and a clean desk.
> With charming friends and slender concubines.
> Returning from a visit with friends.
> When the day is clear and the breeze is mild.
> On a day of light showers.
> In a painted boat near a small wooden bridge.
> In a forest with tall bamboos.
> In a pavilion overlooking lotus flowers on a summer's day.
> Having lighted incense in a small studio.
> After a feast is over and the guests are gone.
> When the children are at school.
> In a quiet, secluded temple.
> Near famous springs and quaint rocks.
>
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