Poem by T’ao Ch’ien

Posted in Poetry by 10k films on June 4th, 2009

Untitled

Great men want the four seas. I’ve only
wanted old age to come unnoticed like

this. My family together in one place,
kids and grandkids looking after each

other still, I linger out mornings over
koto and wine, the winejar never dry.

My clothes a shambles, exhausting every
joy, I sleep late now, and nod off early.

Why live like all those fine men, hearts
stuffed with fire and ice to the end,

their hundred-year return to the grave
nothing but an empty path of ambition?

T’ao Ch’ien