Thanking Associate Prefect Zhang

I prefer to live a quiet life
in my later years.
Indifferent I am to
all mundane affairs.
A long-range plan
is not in my thought.
Returning to my old woods
was the only thing I sought.

The pine wind
blows loose my sash;
The mountain moon
shines on my lute.
You ask about
the ultimate truth of life.
The fishermen's song
drifts deep above the shore.

• by Wang Wei
• Translated by Edward C. Chang
• Chinese Poems
• Wang Wei Poetry at Amazon.com