"nothing to do; nothing to lose"

by Shih Shu

English version by James H. Sanford
Original Language Chinese

"nothing to do; nothing to lose"
among the flowers, darkening clouds
above the pines, a sinking sun
spring deepens with urgent birdcalls
autumn declines to the cries of insects
dawn: darkness wrapped in darkness
this, the end of every quest.

-- from The Clouds Should Know Me By Now: Buddhist Poet Monks of China, Edited by Red Pine

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Recommended Books: Shih Shu

A Drifting Boat: Chinese Zen Poetry Sunflower Splendor: Three Thousand Years of Chinese Poetry The Clouds Should Know Me By Now: Buddhist Poet Monks of China



nothing to do