Selected Poems, Third Quarter, 2013

(The two poems  following were the result of a game.  Several friends each gave their versions of a poem by Li Bai— also known as Li Po.)


the mountain: questions and answers 
by Li Bai


ask for me           where desire lives on green jade mountain

laugh when there's no reply             my heart is free of care

peach petals disperse upon the river's surface            

they disappear depart            under heaven's sky I am alone


--Wulf Losee

the beauty of mountains
there are
no questions
no answers
emotions flow

through me

on green mountain
like petals
in a stream

together, apart
we disappear

--Brian Howlett

Selected Poems, Third Quarter, 2013

An Untrustworthy Translation of Du Fu's In Abbot Zan's Study, Poem #3

Insomnia is defined by lamplight and shadows.

Heart and mind are clear, I inhale the incense.

The halls are quiet except for fluttering draughts.

As a chain of moments unwinds in my mind

springtime awaits me in the watered courtyards.

Outside the Earth is hidden in a fragrant night

from my window I see the stars of the Jade Rope

setting. An iron phoenix is about to rise –

the Sanskrit scrolls have unrolled their sutras

and the hour is leaving the temple – a bell rings

echoing and diminishing washing around my cot.

The heat of the morning falls on the fields.

The yellow earth is drying in the bright day.

--Wulf Losee

Selected Poems, Third Quarter, 2013

 Our sixth Selected Poem retells a famous story from a fresh point of view.

  We're mostly water, my friends. 

              Ordinary and common as dust.

           So how do we flow to sacred ends?

          How do we make the changes that we must?

          Well water filled clay jars at the Cana Party.

That groom was nervous, probably kept the crisis from his bride

          While everyone danced, a little drunk or eating hearty,

           Servants kept dumping into jars the water from outside.

                         No one really knows what happened then,  

                 But I suspect some chemistry between those lovers

                          Connected the whole whirling circling kin.

 When they shouted, "More wine!" The groom declared: Lift the covers!"

                                      My brave lovers, never fear to find

                   That your ordinary care and kindness makes sacred wine.

--Scott Wood

Selected Poems, Third Quarter, 2013

Our seventh and final Selected Poem for the Third Quarter of 2013.



I enter the house of earth
The darkness is spangled with stars

I enter the house of fire
The moon rises splendid and full

I enter the house of air
A lotus perfumes the dawn clouds

I enter the house of water
The sun sheds clear light over all

Ah: homeless now, homeless at last

--Patrick Mizelle