1
02
2008
As if Dreaming
The sky becomes one with its clouds
the waves with their mist.
In Heaven’s starry river, a thousand sails
dance.
As if dreaming, I return to the place
where the Highest lives,
and hear a voice from the heavens:
Where am I going?
I answer, “The road is long,”
and sigh; soon the sun will be setting.
Hard to find words in poems to carry
amazement:
on its ninety-thousand-mile wind,
the huge inner bird is soaring.
O wind, do not stop–
My little boat of raspberry wood
has not yet reached the Immortal Islands.
Chinese Poet Li Qingzhao
from Admiring Lotuses
(translated by Jane Hirshfield)
Hi Ron! Jane Hirshfield did a great job translating this incredible poem. And Li Qingzhao did an amazing job writing it. And I thank you deeply for sharing it here!:)