In keeping with my habit of pairing my own poems with poems that I have translated from the ancient Chinese, I offer a short poem from Tu Fu (712-770) with my response.
RIVER SWALLOWS
Knowing the humble qualities of my small study,
swallows from the river often fly freely in and out.
They drop their bits of mud on my lute and books
and, chasing insects, sometimes fly in my face!
- Tu Fu
THE WISDOM OF SWALLOWS
I find comfort in these rude birds,
solace in their presumptive visits.
They are unaware of distinctions
between interior and exterior life.
RIVER SWALLOWS
Knowing the humble qualities of my small study,
swallows from the river often fly freely in and out.
They drop their bits of mud on my lute and books
and, chasing insects, sometimes fly in my face!
- Tu Fu
THE WISDOM OF SWALLOWS
I find comfort in these rude birds,
solace in their presumptive visits.
They are unaware of distinctions
between interior and exterior life.
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