arthur waley

A Gentle Wind

Gill Washington Spirituality, Taoism, Taoist Writings , , , , , 0 Comment

By Fu Hsuan

Translated by Arthur Waley

A gentle wind fans the calm night;
A bright moon shines on the high tower.
A voice whispers, but no one answers when I call:
A shadow stirs, but no one comes when I beckon.
The kitchen man brings in a dish of lentils:
Wine is there, but I do not fill my cup.
Contentment with poverty is fortune’s best gift:
Riches and Honour are the handmaids of Disaster.
Though gold and gems by the world are sought and prized,
To me they seem no more than weeds or chaff.

Taoist Writings on Allspirit

Taoist Song

Gill Washington Spirituality, Taoism, Taoist Writings, Wisdom , , 0 Comment

By Chi K’ang

Translated by Arthur Waley

I will cast out Wisdom and reject Learning.
My thoughts shall wander in the Great Void
Always repenting of wrongs done
Will never bring my heart to rest.
I cast my hook in a single stream;
But my joy is as though I possessed a Kingdom.
I loose my hair and go singing;
To the four frontiers men join in my refrain.
This is the purport of my song:
“My thoughts shall wander in the Great Void.”

Taoist Writings on Allspirit

 

 

The Valley Wind

Gill Washington Nature, Spirituality, Taoism, Taoist Writings , , , , , 0 Comment

By Lu Yun

Translated by Arthur Waley

Living in retirement beyond the World,
Silently enjoying isolation,
I pull the rope of my door tighter
And stuff my window with roots and ferns.
My spirit is tuned to the Spring-season:
At the fall of the year
There is autumn in my heart.
Thus imitating cosmic changes,
My cottage becomes a Universe.

Taoist Writings on Allspirit