Three Views of One River

Night on the Great River
Meng Hao-jan

(I)

translated by William Carlos Williams

Steering my little boat towards a misty islet,
I watch the sun descend while my sorrows grow:
In the vast night the sky hangs lower than the treetops,
But in the blue lake the moon is coming close.

(II)

Night on the Great River
translated by Kenneth Rexroth

We anchor the boat alongside a hazy island.
As the sun sets I am overwhelmed with nostalgia.
The plain stretches away without limit.
The sky is just above the tree tops.
The river flows quietly by.
The moon comes down amongst men.

(III)

Mooring on Chien-te River
translated by Gary Snyder

The boat rocks at anchor by the misty island
Sunset, my loneliness comes again.
In these vast wilds the sky arches down to the trees.
In the clear river water, the moon draws near.

Leaving You With Wishes

Along the Grand Canal

Hoar frost has congealed
On the deck
Of my little boat.
The water
Is clear and still.
Cold stars beyond counting
Swim alongside.
Thick reeds hide the shore.
You'd think you'd left the earth.
Suddenly there breaks in
Laughter and song.

That, written by Ch'in Kuan (1849 - 1101), was translated from the Chinese by the prolific Kenneth Rexroth.

Today, I have not a little boat but one large airplane. I leave you with wishes for laughter and song.