Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell, trans.

From “Chinese Written Wall Pictures”

Wang Ching-seng—Nineteenth Century

THE INN leans against the mountain’s root.

The smooth skin of the water shines,

And the clouds slip over the sky.

This is the twilight of dawn and dusk.

On the top of Hsi Lung

The hill priest sits in the evening

And meditates.

Two—

Those are the lights of fishing-boats

Arriving at the door.