Ryan G Van Cleave
Li Po and Tu Fu, Reuniting Among the Clouds
A variation on translations
| Pilgrim of the Clouds, here is the plum wine that dances away the day. There are ghosts and ghosts smuggled in my head, each hurting like unhealed wounds. The air grows silent with something unsaid. River stones and waterfall, the stars still pour from Heaven. Untelling the moment we might stay the evening but there’s nothing except clues |
In silver and cloudbank gray, the sun in my heart has set. I cannot do but scratch my poor white head. Together we might break into butterflies of gold. Already old, the boatmen smoke up the celestial river. We might ride along. These hands, these assessins are capable of a wooden pole. Wild geese vanish and a long sickle night to trust like a homeward hymn. |
This last song
chanted sadly,
we lift our cups of stars,
honor old vows.
Amen, forever, amen.
Ryan G Van Cleave teaches writing in the USA and edits Sundog: the Southeast Review. His recent books are Say Hello (Pecan Grove Press 2000) and the anthology American Diaspora: Poetry of Exile (University of Iowa Press 2000).
Page(s) 53
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