ruan ji-i at night at home and i can’t sleep
ruan ji-ii two fairy maidens seen along the river bank
ruan ji-iii small paths worn smooth through the graceful trees
ruan ji-iv the starry horse of heaven gallops from the northeast
ruan ji-v i remember when my heart was young
ruan ji-vi it is said that where the recluse dong ling lived
ruan ji-vii high heat of summer will eventually leave
ruan ji-viii the reddened sun settles in the west
ruan ji-ix through shang dong pass
ruan ji-x the tyrant zhou brought barbarian dancing to bei li
ruan ji-xi the yang zi river runs deep
ruan ji-xii these men had great good fortune
ruan ji-xiii having climbed to the clouds, i look out on wilderness
ruan ji-xiv it is autumn, soon will come the bitter cold
ruan ji-xv years ago when i was fourteen, fifteen
ruan ji-xvi i walk along the shore of lake peng
ruan ji-xvii in the courtyard i sit alone with my thoughts
ruan ji-xviii to the southwest the sun chariot seeks its place of rest
ruan ji-xix there is a fetching woman living in the west
ruan ji-xx yang zhu wept over the multiplicity of crossroads
ruan ji-xxi each moment of time sparkles in my heart
ruan ji-xxii the xia emperor rode proudly in a heavenly chariot
ruan ji-xxiii to the southeast looms the holy gu she mountain
ruan ji-xxiv depression ties a knot deep within my heart
ruan ji-xxv i would prefer to face the naked edge of a sword
ruan ji-xxvi i mornings i climb to the top of the hill
ruan ji-xxvii zhou and zheng come together in a land under heaven
ruan ji-xxviii ruo mu casts its light on the western sea
ruan ji-xxix once i took myself to da liang
ruan ji-xxx i crawled up into my cart and left
ruan ji-xxxi i harnessed my cart and headed for the capital of old wei
ruan ji-xxxii this morning’s sun will never be as bright again
ruan ji-xxxiii mornings follow evenings
ruan ji-xxxiv evenings follow mornings
ruan ji-xxxv affairs of the world are completely disordered
ruan ji-xxxvi what man complains that life is hard
ruan ji-xxxvii this morning’s hour of happiness has arrived
ruan ji-xxxviii the dazzling light stretches for a thousand miles
ruan ji-xxxix these men are both brave and generous heroes
ruan ji-xl the heavens and the earth arose from chaos
ruan ji-xli the heavenly web arches over the countryside
ruan ji-xlii kings and emperors sorely need good advisors
ruan ji-xliii the swans fly together
ruan ji-xliv similar things diverge along life’s paths
ruan ji-xlv the noble orchid is most often not worn
ruan ji-xlvi two turtle doves flit through the trees
ruan ji-xlvii when is the crowning moment of one’s life
ruan ji-xlviii turtle doves sing together in the courtyard
ruan ji-xlix i walk past the crossroads
ruan ji-l pearls of dew become crystals of frost
ruan ji-li a heart of loyalty can expect no favor in return
ruan ji-lii the ten suns rise in yang gu
ruan ji-liii nature has its own way of proceeding
ruan ji-liv boastful talk relieves a man’s anger
ruan ji-lv men have always wanted to prolong their lives
ruan ji-lvi fame and misfortune, both lie in the hands of happenstance
ruan ji-lvii the storming wind blows from the wild north
ruan ji-lviii my high hat splits the passing clouds
ruan ji-lix an old man lived on the shore of a river
ruan ji-lx the followers of confucius know well the six classics
ruan ji-lxi when i was young i practiced swordsmanship
ruan ji-lxii late morning, dressing for noon
ruan ji-lxiii many worries splinter the will
ruan ji-lxiv morning comes, i leave through the east gate
ruan ji-lxv when prince jin became fifteen
ruan ji-lxvi a man cannot pass through the north polar gate
ruan ji-lxvii the prestige of confucian scholars relies on certain rules
ruan ji-lxviii facing north i see the gan mei valley
ruan ji-lxix it is always easy to meet and chat with new people
ruan ji-lxx the man who feels sorrow is sane
ruan ji-lxxi rolling mounds of graves covered in mu jin blooms
ruan ji-lxxii a carriage is appropriate for a long trip
ruan ji-lxxiii look, there at the crossroads, an outstanding man
ruan ji-lxxiv i admire the scholars of by-gone days
ruan ji-lxxv the odor of flowers in liang dong
ruan ji-lxxvi one can never learn to ride faster than one can fly
ruan ji-lxxvii old age has arrived and i reflect on time
ruan ji-lxxviii once there was a god who lived on she mountain
ruan ji-lxxix the extraordinary bird, phoenix, who lives in the forest
ruan ji-lxxx walking through my gate i gaze around
ruan ji-lxxxi once there were three gods
ruan ji-lxxxii mu jin blossoms coloring the graves
at night at home and i can’t sleep
i rise to play my steel guitar
i peek through curtains to glow of moon
a breeze blows freshly through my gown
there a lone goose honks the wild
birds fly around the northern woods
and i, left here too, pace my rooms
with close damp throat, alone and sad
murphy neglecting to answer his telephone
flitting at ease, hanging, darting in the wind
jiao fu admired, then took their girdle’s gems
young as spring to see, sweet as honey to smell
why should jiao fu fail to be smitten
all three swore never to forget one another
the maidens charmed the entire town
enchanted, then beguiled the people
but attraction and affection turned to anxiety
the grass of forgetfulness was planted outside their door
they forewent their rouge, fixed not their hair
preferring the rain, complaining of the morning sun
gold and companionship
both can melt away
murphy watching fireflies along the creek
small paths worn smooth through the graceful trees
in the eastern garden among the peaches and plums
leaves of the climbing beans being tossed by the autumn airs
yes, from now on everything withers and dies
late flamboyant flowers will ultimately shrivel
with only thorns and weeds left in the courtyard
it’s time to mount my horse and leave it all behind
it’s time to head for the western hills
when you can’t be sure of your own safety
how can you protect your wife and children
frost lies thick on the wild grass
this year grows old, what else can i say
murphy thinking of the story of jack and his giant
the starry horse of heaven gallops from the northeast
bringing spring all along the eastern road
then summer, then autumn, and no one can say
how anyone can hold on to his fortune
dawn violets in the marsh shimmer with dew
then frost clusters sprinkle the grass
the man who is young and handsome in the morning
ages to decrepitude when evening falls
prince jin with his flute singing like the phoenix
flew away– far, far away, on the back of a crane
to the peak of the mountain of the immortals
but i am not he, nor shall i stay forever young
murphy taking his constellations seriously
i remember when my heart was young
i lived for the moment, playing and singing
off i went to the west, to the capital xian yang
there i managed only to tease women, flirt with the rich
at that time this lifestyle was flourishing
but then suddenly came the dark of night
so now i mount my horse and go back to my roots
and gaze across the far reaches of the three rivers
i have wasted hundreds of pieces of gold
that doesn’t worry me for we suffer from too much wealth
but the road ahead runs away to the north
and the way i wish to go is onto my lost road
murphy too late wise
it is said that where the recluse dong ling lived
he planted melons everywhere, up to the edge of qing men
he planted so thickly that the plants covered the earth
mothers and children, growing together, covering even the paths
the morning sun glistened on their verdant leaves
noble guests, from all parts of the land, often came there
the gathering visitors walking midst the brilliant colors
but now only the oil lamp burns, consuming itself
too much wealth brings trouble as its burden
all my life i preferred to wear only homespun clothes
why do we beguile ourselves with the lure of fame and fortune
murphy taking a vow of poverty to become a teacher
high heat of summer will eventually leave
months of full sun’s energy will come to their end
blossoming trees heavy with their leaves
clouds wandering across the blue sky
the four seasons all take their turn, then turn again
the sun and the moon rise and fall, rise and fall
back and forth i pace the empty courtyard, back and forth
shouldering my sadness, alone, back and forth, alone
i wish in the end to find serenity, harmony
not this pain, not this separation
murphy troubled, but knowing that things always change
the reddened sun settles in the west
my clothes dyed by its lingering light
the wind is blowing hard around the walls
the cold, huddling birds have ceased their song
the zhou zhou bird who needs a mate to hold him as he drinks
the qiong qiong who needs another to help him as he feeds
but, oh, those men in power
they are lost in their maze of intrigue
how could i wish for flamboyant fame
taking strength from my body by depressing my heart
i would rather flit about with the sparrow
than soar to the clouds with the crane
the crane may be able to fly over the ocean
but how can i find my way home
once i fly away from its heart
murphy holding close his family above all else
through shang dong pass
north to shou yang mountain
below, hermits picking grains to eat
on top, an evergreen forest
will the sun never return
a frost condenses, wets my clothes
a cold wind shocks the hills
clouds thicken, darken the sky
geese fly south, harshly squawking
a cuckoo cries its song of sorrow
this autumn here the touch of being
desolate, alone, shivering, sad
murphy imagining building his lean-to
the tyrant zhou brought barbarian dancing to bei li
surrounded himself with the lewd music of pu shang
young men there dueled each other in finery of dress
idly drifting about, wasting time on the streets
they delighted in cul de sacs and narrow lanes
their hearts aimed always at the seat of pleasure
how could they perceive the immortality of prince jin
who flew on the clouds high over the forests
i now think on the art of extending life itself
that alone comforts my heart
murphy seeking solace in literary pursuits
the yang zi river runs deep
through the thick maple forests
the path is thick with violets
as the black horse gallops along
gazing into the distance brings sadness
though fresh spring air stirs my heart
once the three states of chu had many literati
who wrote lascivious tales to amuse their kings
they were like redolent red flowers
flouncing for attention, vying for favor
i once saw a yellow sparrow
unaware of the circling hawks
how can i remember such without shedding tears
murphy moving into the shadows to escape the sun
these men had great good fortune
these courtiers an ling and long yang
luminous as sun lit flowers of peach and plum
a shining light followed them
welcome as the fresh dawn of spring
sparkling as the flattering frost of autumn
their movement, their carriage held charm
their words were sweet, their laughter spread fragrance
they held hands with their lord showing their love
day and night they shared the same covers
they wanted to be a pair of love birds
flying in their courtship, wing to wing
taking a brush to hand they wrote a solemn oath
never to forget the other, never to change
murphy a man of his word
having climbed to the clouds, i look out on wilderness
to the north, mountains, dark green pines in shadow
birds flying by, alone, with mournful cries
my sorrow returns, deepens
my life filled with bitterness
i think of master li in custody
who pines for the freedom at the eastern gate
and su zi who roamed the whole of the three rivers
and felt constrained in so small a place
me? i searched for virtue
and see, i am rewarded with virtue
murphy having chosen discretion as his motto
it is autumn, soon will come the bitter cold
i lie in bed and listen to the song of a cricket
he is on the other side of the curtain, i am torn by doubt
and saddened by this creature and his world
my heart swells with feeling, who is here to share?
my mind is a sea of words, who is here to hear
a gentle breeze pulls at my silken sleeves
the moon is bright though its light is cold
i hear the cock crow from up in the tree
i order my horse saddled, time to return home
murphy with a heavy heart, leaving it all behind
years ago when i was fourteen, fifteen
i fell in love with books and poetry
i wore simple clothes but desired rubies and pearls
my models were yan yuan and min sun
i rode in an open cart, my face turned to the wide fields
i climbed ever higher in my ambition, emulating my heroes
mounds of graves dot the surrounding hills
a thousand years is but a moment here
s thousand autumns, ten thousands of years
where can fame and fortune hold their place?
now i know the truth of xia men zi
i laugh at myself, tears streaking my cheeks
murphy the sacred clown diverting the bull from the thrown rider
i walk along the shore of lake peng
my eyes wander to settle on da liang
white tipped waves endless on the blue water
fertile country stretching far to fade away in the distance
i see animal tracks tuning here and there
and pairs of birds fly high overhead
september almost gone, october looming near
sun and moon stare into each other’s eyes
a brisk wind sweeps in from the north
the air become pure, crystal clear
i am a stranger here, alone with my thoughts
each word of greeting deepens my alienation
villains are here, who take and fend for themselves
and gentlemen too, acting as gentlemen will
i wander, thin and pale, pacing back and forth
mumbling and chanting i memorize this poem
murphy fixing an image in rhythm and rhyme
in the courtyard i sit alone with my thoughts
no one here to whom i can confide
outside i see an endless road stretching away
an empty road, no men, no carts, no horses
walking out i climb to look over our land
vast and endless it extends forever
a lonely bird flies off to the northwest
a quick little animal, seemingly lost, scurries to hide
evening is when i most miss my friends
to comfort self i write these words
murphy talking to himself in rhyme
to the southwest the sun chariot seeks its place of rest
xi he hurries his way to his night’s lodgings
light lingers over the four seas
then suddenly darkness descends
in the morning the sun rises over xian chi after its bath
in the evening the banks of the meng si glow in its last light
but who would ever think a poor scholar, enlightened as he is
will ever come back to life once he has passed away
look at the flowers blooming on the trees of peach and plum
which of them will be able to keep its luster forever
any man of nobility can never free himself from change
why should he feel shame sharing this evanescence
yet i stand and admire the pines of the great mountains
their evergreen a comfort to my heart
murphy in his seventies, pushing for his eighties
there is a fetching woman living in the west
her smile rivaling the brightness of the sun
her dress resplendent, made of the finest silk
glittering jewels adorn her left side, her right
her face beguiles, gracefully charms
her essence perfumes as a light garden breeze
climbing to the balcony she looks for her lover’s return
in the morning chill, hands in sleeves she faces the new born sun
she drifts high in the sky, hovers
waving her sleeves, dancing in the heavens
flying before the wind, a cloud in a trance
every so often she glances down at me
but i can never reach, nor touch her form
gazing upward,, alone, i deplore my fate
murphy bemused, sorting through his treasured memories
yang zhu wept over the multiplicity of crossroads
mo zi grieved over the multitude of dyes for white silk
we hold hands as we bid a long farewell
when again will this chaotic world bring us together
our feelings not mere sentiment, uncaring, rehearsed
but more a recognition of a life and death struggle
we share sadness at the sufferings in this world
misfortune and disaster too prevalent to be avoided
the beautiful maiden of zhao fooled the king of dai in zhong shan
tender feelings and awareness of others only make one vulnerable
yes i think of the lowly scholars plodding along their way
where can they find quietude and security
murphy snug in his kitchen with ore than enough to eat
each moment of time sparkles in my heart
in the evening as the sun moves into the dark
waving my sleeves, i practice with my sword
pausing to look up i join the clouds passing by
up there with them i spot a black crane
determined in its flight, voicing its sad song
once it has passed me by, gone in the blue heavens
its cry will be lost to me forever
and why should it flutter and flap around with the quails
playing in the courtyard down here amongst the shrubs
murphy a man of will, not wishes
the xia emperor rode proudly in a heavenly chariot
kua fu made his sticks become sturdy trees
life and death both participants in an eternal change
sun and moon, rise and fall, rise and fall
the songs of the phoenix are singular and uneven
ling lun copied its sound with his bamboo flute
the immortal prince jin sought its melody on his pipe
and all the generations since have followed in their steps
who says the dao is unknowable
the blackbird brings food to the goddess
it is the one who sees into my heart
murphy keeping his balance on the teeter board
to the southeast looms the holy gu she mountain
the fen river gushes forth from its southern slope
six dragons pull the chariot in the sky
the canopy of clouds moves toward tian gang
four, five immortals in the heavens
lie at ease in the house of orchids
their sleep, their breathing, pure and harmonious
their exhalations at dawn become dew and frost
they bathe in the deep empyrean pool
mirroring the light of the sun and the moon
carefree, at peace, calm in beauty and soul
soaring upward to the far reaches of heaven
murphy recalling his trip with sandoz lsd
depression ties a knot deep within my heart
add anxiety and i am in a permanent state of shock
always when one is most enjoying the day
the sun suddenly reddens in the west, then leaves
i listen to the crickets singing under my window
hui gu, the one who lives only a short time, is down in the courtyard
the hearts of men are hidden and forever strangers to others
who can share my innermost feelings, know them, and believe as me
i wish i were a bird flying high in the clouds
whose sadness of song could be heard for a thousand miles
san zhi, the plant of immortality, grows thick on the slope of ying zhou
i will travel there and then live forever
murphy hurting but soldiering on
i would prefer to face the naked edge of a sword
than sully myself by serving in this slanderous court
what i fear most is misapplied sophistication
men whose insidious words are filled with secret traps
yet the water flinging fountain hangs onto the mountain of jade
the sun’s chariot stands at rest in fu sang
the sun and the moon travel thousands of miles each day
the autumn wind sweeps in and leaves its thin coat of frost
yes, an official’s career is filled with hills and valleys
i have no need to continue sighing
murphy getting up and trying again
mornings i climb to the top of the hill
at sunset i look out over the western mountains
the wilderness is filled with thorns
birds grace the air flying by
cranes and phoenixes at rest, mixing only with their own
all of life follows the natural ways of its kind
who can find the magical jian mu tree
the ye gan flower flaunts its elegance
can you not see the vines of the forest
twining together, all the way down to their roots
murphy accepting the role as leader of his clan
zhou and zheng come together in a land under heaven
all roads and tracks run together on down to san he
here men of manners, winsome, handsome young men
gather together, radiating the beauty of flowers
their dark hair highlighting the flush of their faces
their eyes aglitter, yet tender, alluring
women at the height of their beauty come to look at them
flirt with them, as all around sing praises of the other
they desire to retire for a time out in the fields of spring
then, suddenly it seems, the sun of morning sets in the west
rise and fall are natural and change is of a moment
how can we manage the feelings of farewell
murphy turning to leave without shaking hands
ruo mu casts its light on the western sea
fu sang casts its shadow on the ying zhou peak
sun and moon travel their own paths through the sky
light and darkness never travel together
poverty and prosperity are separate ways
loss and gain are often out of man’s control
how can i be like the children when they play
there on the road with their arms intertwined
yin and yang change over, as their nature directs
who says you can never resurface after you sink
the red river-turtle jumps over the flying fountain of heaven
king wu’s sword slashed all over the land of wu
sinking, rising, i follow the course of nature
and accept my lot in the flow of the four seas
laden with fame and wealth
both wise and foolish horses pull the same cart
why not erase all this from my eyes and ears
and fly away to the hills, leaving dejection behind
murphy eschewing the siren song of wealth
once i took myself to da liang
and scaled the peak of huang hua mountain
the sleeping place of gong gong was gloomy and deep
with its vista rising, rising to the heavens
a dark, untamed, and oh so remote a place
where sorrow so dear to me came into my heart
who was this most beloved man
a perceptive man who followed the flow of nature
the dragon of floods dived deep into the waters of ji zhou
where the charming lady could no longer sleep in peace
extravagant living and the flouting of laws
how can one prolong one’s life following this path?
murphy isolating himself in penance
i crawled up into my cart and left
wanting to travel far away into distant lands
what was the purpose of my journey
to escape the trap of vanity and fame
vanity and fame do not stem from the will
it is best to rely on your innermost heart
a curtain hung in the window cuts off the sun
a high pavilion muffles all talk below
calumny embitters the best of friends
floating clouds will darken the sky
look at that beautiful, enticing, woman showing off her clothes
a single glance from her charms everyone around
favor, fortune, come forth for a moment and go
flowers having bloomed once will never bloom again
morning passes quickly, then evening dark looms near
the shape of my beloved is nowhere to be seen
oh, yellow bird, fly to the southeast
carry these few words to my friend
murphy aching and creaky of a morning these days
i harnessed my cart and headed for the capital of old wei
on through the south to chui tai, to enjoy a distant view
there the music of the flute is still heard
but where is the king of liang now
his soldiers had only chaff to feed themselves
his wise men scattered to the wilderness
before the songs and dances ended
the army of qin appeared
the fine forests were gone from his control
his crimson palace turned into rubble and dust
liang’s troops met defeat at the foot of mount hua
their bodies long since disintegrated into nothingness
murphy warning himself to provide for those who honor him
this morning’s sun will never be as bright again
and the day will grow quickly into a western darkness
we part, and we merely give a brief nod of our heads
who says life’s autumn will endure
the life of men is merely a dew on the dust
how long, how vast is the way of the heavens
the duke of qi looked down from the crest of the hill
tears falling like twin crossing streams
wise confucius stood by the long river
mourning how swiftly his time flowed by
what is gone into the past is gone forever
what is to come i can never keep
i wish i could climb mount tai hua
and live then in heaven with the god song zi
a fisherman knows the suffering of the world
he takes his skiff and drifts with the current
murphy balanced on his feet, ready for the next onslaught
mornings follow evenings
evenings follow mornings
the high color of youth fades
the spirit, the body, weakens
a fire blazes in my chest
there things are changed one after another
the changes of the universe will never end
a single man’s pitiful wit never grasps this truth
my single fear is that in the next moment of time
my soul will catch the wind and be whisked away
all my life has been the crossing of thin ice
who can share my fear, my dread of heart
murphy simply amazed he is still here
evenings follow mornings
mornings follow evenings
the high color of youth fades
the spirit floats away
lifting my cup i am overcome with grief
thinking of old friends from my younger days
facing the wine i am struck dumb
my heart seethes with sadness
i have an urge to plow the field by the eastern meadow
who understands that kind of truth
yet misery and depression can soon depart
while noble behavior can damage a humble body
why should i worry about the “straight” or the “crooked”
i would rather have dragons and snakes as neighbors
murphy seeking the clarity of good wine
affairs of the world are completely disordered
it is a pity our stay is so short
youth vanishes in a trice
morning dew greeting the sun
i wish i drove the sun’s chariot
then its brilliance would never end
but there is no climbable stairway to the heavens
and no bridge to cross the milky way
i wash my hair in the yong gu river
as i travel far to kun lun peak
there to climb the hills near to heaven
and gather the fragrant autumn violets
the ways of the world are hardly worth the fight
the immensity of the cosmos is the arena of choice
murphy keeping his head low in the foxhole
what man complains that life is hard
life can sink into a pillow of leisure
in the front of my courtyard is a tree
its leaves feathery, its flowers delicate
i stand in its shade and contemplate formless chaos
walking up and down i think of how i miss my friends
the day suddenly seems darker, even gloomy
let those birds above fly away to the east with these words
that would at the least comfort my heart
murphy isolated in rural vermont during mudtime
this morning’s hour of happiness has arrived
yet a drizzle muddies the dust
i wait by the roadside for my loved one
but it latens to evening and she still does not come
all humans teem with sentiments, it is their nature
mine disturb me, how can i overcome my despair
with a heart filled with sadness i wipe away my tears
why write these miserable words that no one will hear
murphy always the dupe waiting for another
the dazzling light stretches for a thousand miles
the turbulent river runs in an endless torrent
far to the east a bow is hung on a fu sang tree
he stands at the edge of the sky with his sword in hand
he whets his blade on the stone of mount tai
his cloak swirling behind like waves on the yellow river
i consider the worth of the well known gentleman zhuang zi
and i ask, how can one depend on his glory, or infamy
the body is tossed away, thrown to rot in the desert
after one dies the bones are feasts for birds of prey
better to follow the path of the indomitable warrior
stride forth with power, chase fame, chase rank
murphy resplendent in youth’s promise
these men are both brave and generous heroes
they dare to take on the entire world at once
riding their chariots to the far fields of battle
trusting in their cherished leader, heedless of their own safety
bows held firmly in their determined hands
armor glittering with their movements in the bright sun
disdaining the danger, unworried about their individual lives
for when they die their souls speed to the heavenly skies
here there are no cowards who only think of themselves
their lust lies in their devotion to battle
their loyalty to be repeated in tales of glory for generations to come
their deeds will insure their names will be remembered by all
their fame honored by the world forever and ever
their integrity of spirit, unchanged, true to their ideals
murphy bellicose in his approach, victorious in his action
the heavens and the earth arose from chaos
the four elements interacting drive the motion of the spheres
the sun spreads brilliance, the moon clear light
the sun sets then returns but the life of man is cut short
dust in the wind, blowing transient as clouds, drying up
my will is thus to strive to prolong my life
gaining favor, fame, glory not within my grasp at all
an qi, the god, walks the roads of heaven
song zi, the immortal, left the world behind
where can i find my wings to carry me up
to harness the clouds and float in their splendor
how strange the willful aims of confucius
why wish to live down on earth among the barbarians
murphy aloof and alone out of conscious choice
the heavenly web arches over the countryside
a swan gracefully folds her powerful wings
and floats with the tide, midst a mass of common ducks
the life of a man can never be predetermined
mornings and evenings, always the unexpected
the gods go about the task of prolonging their lives
imposing their will on the chaos of creation
they float between the clouds and the sun
far, far away from the concerns of the world
i choose not to grasp for fame and glory
women and music are not enough to engage my attention
those who seek the elixir of life never return
even the promises of the gods cannot be trusted
and when i think like this i am entranced
murphy the loner going his solitary way
kings and emperors sorely need good advisors
to achieve greatness they must rely on men of valor
how brilliant and courtly were the scholars of the past
how they prospered singing the praise of enlightened rulers
yin and yang have their time of chaos and discord
the sun and moon are not always at their brightest
nature flirts with harmony but turns away to cacophony
the affairs of man often slip out of control
yuan and qi found secret places in the mountains
lao zi secluded himself in the wilderness of the far west
the dao invites with the path of integrity
favor and glory are not the proper goals
most men understand how to start on a correct path
but few can keep true their way to an appropriate end
yes the scholars of old were men of beauty
their names remembered by all forever
murphy opting for posthumous appreciation
the swans fly together
out toward the ends of the world
spreading their wings they soar
swiftly across thousands of miles
at dawn they sip the dew of the flowers
at nightfall they rest on the mountain of the gods
they glide among the scudding clouds
there s no snare nor net to hold them fast
yes, why should i mix with these provincial squires
shaking each other’s hands with glee
sealing their grubby contracts
murphy above it all in his mind’s aerie
similar things diverge along life’s paths
the way one develops changes with age
the tree of the gods grows high on the mountain
the elixir of life glistens in the red courtyard
how luxuriant the blooms on the peach and plum trees
how they wither as a path is worn beneath them
how can they wish to know a long, wide road
they have a unique beauty expressed only in the spring
and me
i am not an evergreen pine ignoring cold winds and frost
my decay proceeds in fits and starts
murphy easing on down the road
the noble orchid is most often not worn
the conspicuous red grass blooms for any man
the lofty bamboo hides up in the shadows of the mountains
the ye gan tree stands alone on the holy zeng cheng
vines carpet the slopes of the valleys
they twine together full of their fruit
always seeking pleasure lessens the harmony of our spirits
indulging too much in sadness dulls our finest feelings
i have known fully the futility of worry
why not return to the bosom of nature, the secluded clearing
murphy at his most anxious in crowds
two turtle doves flit through the trees
an albatross hovers over the waves
it’s not that the turtle dove doesn’t know the sea
but that his wings aren’t strong enough to take him there
not capable of his soaring into a glide
it’s better for him to rest among the branches
down below turtledoves gather in the grass
up above they perch on the fence
since everything they wish they have right here
why emulate that other lovely bird
murphy keeping to his clan
when is the crowning moment of one’s life
for now, tears dampen my sleeves from grief
the eagle soars above the mountains
the sparrow gambols in the lower bushes
dark clouds shadow the courtyard
my sadness comes from the music of a zheng
a crane flies, singing, over the crest of the hill
how can i follow him
murphy seeking release through enlightenment
turtle doves sing together in the courtyard
a lonely phoenix floats above in the clouds
look at that solitary bird in the sky
gliding slowly with no companion
life and death are laws of nature
beginning, fading, extinguishing
murphy abstruse of a morning
i walk past the crossroads
alone, missing my beloved
it’s not that i expect to see her today
but she comes, in a trance, she appears
the giant pine planted on the moor
its magnificence takes a thousand years
large birds wheel in the sky
playing together up midst the clouds
why be a scholar confined to self
shedding lonely tears, thinking of the past
murphy never appreciating what he has til he loses it
pearls of dew become crystals of frost
plenteous plants of beauty now only weeds
who wishes to discuss the nobility of virtue
how wisdom leads to enduring enlightenment
i long to ride the clouds seeking immortal song zi and prince jin
breathing the pure air of heaven with them
breathing out, breathing in
not to be, not to be: so sad
murphy sitting zazen like a fool
a heart of loyalty can expect no favor in return
and such high morality may lose its proper place
for how long do kind words last
to bestow favors and kindness is not an easy task
over there don’t you see the swallows flying to the south
spreading their wings, taking their proper place in the air
gao zi complained of the glut of plaintive poetry
qu yuan was saddened by the frustrations of the world
and lamentably even hun tun himself was destroyed
by shu and hu who badly misjudged his character
murphy noting how often mistrust leads to failure
the ten suns rise in yang gu
their drivers whipping the horses ever onward
they cross the sky shining down on the four seas
then they sink from sight in men si
who will say their glow then lasts
as they stop, then proceed on their long trek
those who are gone, who says their life was long
they have all ended among the thorns and the thistles
a thousand years is but a morning
life vanishes over a dinner party
right — wrong gain — loss
why should one be bothered
when schemes of profit cease to be
so will the sorrows of men
murphy cyclical as ever in his musings
nature has its own way of proceeding
life and death have paths never foreknown
wisdom and tact beget evil and trouble
but the dao of nature is ever true to itself
look at those ignoble toadies over there
why do they strut, from whence their arrogance
they ride in fancy carriages pulled by the finest steeds
sit at table groaning with the finest of foods
clothes on their back brocades and silks
their bedchambers deep, deep within the palace
don’t they notice how the flowers that bloom by daylight
fall, one by one, at sunset, along the side of the road
murphy eating his breakfast of coarse bread, cheese and olives
boastful talk relieves a man’s anger
while laziness brings fear and anxiety
so i head northwest to climb bu zhou mountain
then stop to turn southeast to see the wilderness stretching away
hills are borne on the backs of enormous mountains
an eternity stretches forth as i eat
thousands of years rise and fall, rise and fall
who would equate jade with mere rock
nothing i do can stop my tears
murphy finally accepting the preciousness of precious
men have always wanted to prolong their lives
but when they do, what happens to them then
the yellow crane calls out to its immortal rider zi an
such a destiny can never be assumed as one’s own
alone i sit in the midst of the rocks of the mountains
my heart is sore and i miss my beloved
prince jin, the god, is certainly comely
i wish i could know him better as a friend
love and harmony can only be found in this moment
now is the only time we have to achieve our goals
do not think about what happens tomorrow
this evening we can try not to misunderstand
murphy drifting on the lazy river of afternoon
fame and misfortune, both lie in the hands of happenstance
rich man and poor man, both must follow the path they find
young and handsome, evil and mean
trap each other in seeking advantage
noble and singular thought will bring disfavor
one will only become the victim of slander
ji ling birds sing high in the clouds
they fly, they soar without hindrance or hurt
those who must rely on rich and powerful men
don’t you know that when your patrons fall
you too will find your spot of earth
murphy accepting the gold at the olympics
the storming wind blows from the wild north
clouds fly over, dark, to shadow the courtyard
what person has hung this bed curtain
who is it who leans on his cane and the table
though i have never had too keen a sight
still my vision has not grown dim with advancing age
the world is filled with the blind and unhearing
where can i find peace in this vast land
i want to fly with the wind, light in heart
far away, far from this my native land
until i reach the shelter of the jade mountain
no more to hear slander, no longer to seek protection
murphy in charge of a truly motley crew
my high hat splits the passing clouds
my sword reaches to the end of the sky
the trifles of this world are nothing to me
i stand on the heights to look out on the land
with cai zi as my driver i will whisk away
wander in the wilderness blameless and free
i say goodbye to the queen mother of the west
my journey is long and has not reached its end
why should i rub shoulders with these petty minded scholars
memorizing their books
plucking their zithers
swearing their fealty
murphy free at last, all responsibility tossed aside
an old man lived on the shore of a river
though poor he once threw a ruby away
simple food was delicious to his taste
he was comfortable and warm in his sheltered shack
why should one wish to elbow through a noisy crowd
ride fine horses, sit in carriages bouncing on their way
to be born in the morning in a mansion on an avenue
to be buried in the evening on the same dusty street
even as one’s laughter fades to memory
sighs and moaning rise in its stead
thinking of the fate of such people
my heart releases its core of anger
murphy knowing why he chews coarse bread for breakfast
the followers of confucius know well the six classics
there is no one of more tenacious certitude
they follow the rituals in exactitude
they never speak of amelioration of duty
when thirsty they seek clear fountains for water
when hungry they eat from bamboo bowls
when a time comes for sacrifice they have nothing to offer
their clothes are shabby, they suffer from the cold
but they persist and go on chanting their verses
with an easy confidence before the rich
they live among their books, ever loyal to their beliefs
and refuse handouts as they pursue justice
for all this they are vilified by some, praised by others
lao zi would only sigh
murphy an animist to his core
when i was young i practiced swordsmanship
and my skills surpassed the earl of qu
my spirit was that of a hero, i could cut the sky
my name was bruited about throughout the world
i wielded a sword in the battlefields of the desert
my horse drank from the streams in the wilderness
oh how the flags fluttered above us in the wind
oh how the drums clattered as we moved
but all the folderol of war depresses me now
my sorrow surrounds me so deep that i drown
when i think back on the wars of my past
when i root out the births of all my bitterness
murphy owning up to being a mere mortal
late morning, dressing for noon
i long for my mystery guest
and who he might be
as uncertain as the flying dust
clouds and air his only try at clothes
gods and goddesses his talk
asfter a mere glance he leaves
when can he and i sit at length
murphy appreciating the spirit of guiness
many worries splinter the will
loneliness lacerates the heart
clouds in the sky, look down on this marsh
i grasp my sword, sit in the light canoe
would my life continue as easy
would my future repeat such times
murphy doing the simple things simply
morning comes, i leave through the east gate
looking out on shou yang mountain far, far away
thickness of pines a shadow across its face
orioles sing, one then the other
i walk along meandering streams
stop, go, unsure of direction
routine of life fresh on my mind
yet deep thoughts of that beautiful woman
murphy fully fleshed in his being
when prince jin became fifteen
he traveled along the yi and luo rivers
a spring bloom with a ruddy face
his wit quick, his heart unstained
somewhere there he met master fu qiu
and decided to bid farewell to this world
prince jin, lost in a trance, leaving his body
drifting away on a capricious wind
hovering, singing
flexing outstretched wings
newly sore from their first use
murphy a grizzled seraphim at heart
a man cannot pass through the north polar gate
or swim forever upon the ocean
the shining light of joy never visits me
darkness, always darkness, stretches on
a melon in my hand i think back to dong ling
a yellow sparrow speaks and brings me shame
the han emperor wu lost his power at death
soldiers already whetting swords on his gravestone
i think of that man in the grove of mulberry trees
sharing his food… tears suddenly stream down my cheeks
i’ll take a cart and travel between the rivers qian and wei
saddle a horse and make for distant lands
murphy a victim of nomadic lust
the prestige of confucian scholars relies on certain rules
their dress is by convention always the same
they hold fast to rank of superior and inferior
every action, every part of their lives is set
every facial gesture, every brush of makeup
every piece of jewelry worn in court, all designed to impress
in their courtyard they store ceremonial water
in their house they stash the ritual rice
in public they adopt solemn and noble airs
while in their home they eschew beautiful things
occasionally they pontificate some heartfelt words
but the next minute they are back to their sanctimony
how affected and pretentious they are
i pity them
murphy ever the wily rabbit in his habit
facing north i see the gan mei valley
yet my travel is to the west, and then farther
in the distance i see the heavenly crossing
its grandiosity stirs, pleases my heart
replete with joy i reach the gate of life and death
i continue onward, no longer searching
if by chance i meet the chen feng bird of the northern forest
i turn the other way and fly to the thick southern trees
lit by the engine of the cosmos, i saunter
i roam in the wilds of eternity
i rest in the pure land of the gods
what can keep me down here on earth
murphy walking the brooklyn bridge
it is always easy to meet and chat with new people
but exceedingly difficult to find a true friend
life is a dangerous path, people grow suspicious
the red of the ruby lies beyond our grasp
some men wish only to eat the food of kings
but for me a simple meal once in two days
i reduce my share
adding to it deprives us both
hold your advice and suggestions
don’t waste your breath
murphy preferring to listen to silence
the man who feels sorrow is sane
for without sorrow there is no consideration
i see the traps and snares set for me
why else be always on the road
floating on the wind, i reach to touch the sky
rainbow clouds coruscating in the sun
but my heart is only ashes, my body a withered tree
why should i consider the sordid affairs of men
understand the troublesome actions of self
only a silence within eases the self aside
murphy holding on to his pessimism with both hands
rolling mounds of graves covered in mu jin blooms
lovely color, luminous color, lovely
the red sun goes down into the trees
one by one the petals close for the night
outside my window a cricket sings
the short-lived hui gu, out in the thorn bush
yes, mayflies flit a full three days
and both insects polish their wings
how they do pour forth their life
concentrating on their brief, brief moments
a man’s life is also short
this our hearts understand
we should try our best to live
murphy amazed at how morning glory flowers fade so quickly
a carriage is appropriate for a long trip
then the river, wide and long, carries the small boat
how can a man’s life run nature’s course
when fame and wealth dominate our desires
this lusting for fame confuses the will
and striving for riches worries the heart
friends are no help in these matters
and kin often become most bitter enemies
i wish all pearls and rubies might be made to disappear
then i could roam, climb mountains, easy in mind and heart
murphy seeking metaphors for his philosophical choices
look, there at the crossroads, an outstanding man
his chariot gracefully pulled by his chestnut steed
in the morning he sets out for the wilds of ying zhou
in the evening he rests where the brightness reigns forever
the next time you see him he has left the four seas altogether
spreading his wings as wide as might be possible
yes i would leave all the things of this world behind
why should i permit them to pester my heart
let a thousand years pass by
i will meet with you again
murphy enjoying his talking with dead men
i admire the scholars of by-gone days
indifferent to ambition, living the simplest of lives
but truth declines now in this degenerate world
people always in a rush, everywhere dirt and dust
who dare say that ning qi is ignoble
people who bustle and hustle are not my type
glory and shame can flip in a moment
the sun and the moon come and go, go and come
from this one infers the essence of the dao
this essence is indeed the most pleasant thing
its spirit retained in simplicity and purity
chao fu and xu you are both noble characters
from now on, i too will walk down by the riverside
murphy tuning the water drum for the ritual of going to the river
the odor of flowers in liang dong
where the blooms come out all day
their faces, their gestures, their charm
everywhere, throughout the town
yes, how can one be wise enough to survive
when seduction and flattery bloom all around
frivolous dandies, shrivel, then go in a moment
they will never have a name that’s known forever
my fair friends, it’s near the end of the road
i’m tired, and soon comes sunset, moonset
it’s now i must see the magic ming ling tree
which lifts its shape into the vastness of heaven
murphy having that new daymare the third time
one can never learn to ride faster than one can fly
dong ye ran his horses to death and left them where they fell
fish swim deep, well beneath the baited hook
birds fly high, well beyond the snare of net
i prefer my little boat as i float downstream
there seems nothing but the endless push of water
why do we bother to oil our skins against the sun
why come to the beach, we should just drift on the lake
it’s a difficult thing to be thought of as attractive
other than keeping clean i don’t primp and preen
longevity belongs to the gods and goddesses
like song zi and prince jin
being in an endless trance
murphy, quiet, and staring
old age has arrived and i reflect on time
i remember nothing but worry and anxiety
standing by the river with its ceaseless motion
disparate sources all become one
a century can pass and nothing change
yet i am surrounded by hate and calumny
who are all these people who constantly complain
their eyes and ears scornful of all others
sounds and colors in opposition as north and south
they are even persecuted by their own feelings
how i long to meet a scholar who understands the truth of things
who accepts the course of nature as he strolls along
murphy in his foxhole, safe from the raging political wars
once there was a god who lived on she mountain
he rode the backs of dragons, he floated away on clouds
he breathed immortality, eating only ambrosia
one could hear him, but see him not
what does this mean to me
i am saddened i am not of his caste
i am bedeviled by distress and anxiety
though stuck as i am here below
my learning penetrates to heaven
and suddenly times have changed for the worse
where should i move, what should i do
murphy always looking for the easy way out
the extraordinary bird, phoenix, who lives in the forest
drinks from the clear fountains of a morning
rests high on the mountain tops of an evening
his song reverberates loudly throughout the land
he stretches his neck to peer intently across the wilderness
especially in autumn when the wind begins to crack his wings
then he flies to the western side of kun lun mountain
no one knows when he will decide to return
but i know that i am not he
and my heart breaks
murphy mired in the slough of despond for no good reason
walking through my gate i gaze around
is my beloved’s spirit waiting there
the three mountains themselves are like gods
they attract song zi and prince jin
but who among us can expect eternal life
life and death, short and long
what can i learn from knowing this difference
the morning sun moves too soon west
move again i must, which way should i take
can’t you see those last plants of autumn
already broken down, shriveled, destroyed
murphy owning up to his bitter end
once there were three gods
xian men, song zi, prince jin
they lived at the edge of the sky
climbing into heaven to sup on ambrosia
man also yearns for long life
a hundred years seems ever so long
but the bright sun sets by yu gu
and evening never turns quickly into morning
so isn’t it better to leave things of the world behind
and rise to heaven to hover in the wind
murphy asking the genie for one more wish
mu jin blossoms coloring the graves
their beauty and charm doesn’t last the morning
the ceaseless wind, the ceaseless rain, they’re gone
how can we compare them to the magic of lang gan and dan he
both grow like grass on the western mountain
they cling to the high cliffs and cast shadows
their color lingers above the nine valleys
surely some children notice
and sigh to themselves as the day goes on
murphy trying to remember how he felt at age 8