Farewell to a Lofty Monk

 
Liu Changqing (709-785)
 
 
A lofty cloud has met a common crane,
But how to live together in this land?
Don’t stay out here, though filled with fertile hills,
So many know this place, like grains of sand.
 
 

Chinese   送上人 劉長卿   孤雲將野鶴 豈向人間住 莫買沃洲山 時人已知處

Pronunciation

The Lute Player

 
Liu Changqing (709-785)
 
 
As water flows, your lute of seven strings . . .
I hear the wind between the winter pines.
You pull an ancient tune that, though I love,
The players now can hardly play the lines.
 
 

Chinese   彈琴 劉長卿   泠泠七絃上 靜聽松風寒 古調雖自愛 今人多不彈

Pronunciation   Dàn Qín

Sending Off Ling Che

 
Liu Changqing (709-785)
 
 
A temple in the vast green bamboo grove
Resounds its bell within the depth and dusk;
The setting sun slopes down your bamboo hat,
As going back from these green hills, you must.
 
 

Chinese   送靈澈 劉長卿   蒼蒼竹林寺 杳杳鐘聲晚 荷笠帶斜陽 青山獨歸遠

Pronunciation

The entire journey was on foot to this place,
Of moss, more moss, and my footstep’s trace.
White clouds about the banks in a quiet state,
The growing grass has covered the fence’s gate.
 
Passing rain, the pine’s green color in course,
I follow the mountain, to the water’s source.
These river flowers, in a moment’s sensation,
Have brought us to meet in silent meditation.
 
 
Original Chinese Poem