Partridge Sky

Partridge Sky

forest groves cut off mountain dawn, bamboo hides the walls,

cicadas’ hubbub fades in grass by the small pond—

white birds appear reeling & reeling again through the sky,

lotus shines vermilion, its delicate scent on the water—

past the cottages,

near the ancient city,

I stroll quietly on goosefoot cane, turning to the oblique light—

thanks to yesterday’s midnight rain

I get another cool day in this drifting life

Translation by Jack Hayes

© 2017

based on Su Shi: 鷓鴣天

zhè gū tiān

Many thanks as always to Sheila Graham-Smith for her helpful suggestions.

Image links to its source on Wiki Commons:

“Autumn Skies Part”: Guo Xi. Song Dynasty – Public domain

mid-autumn moon

mid-autumn moon


evening clouds gather brimming on the horizon: clear, cold—
the silver galaxy, silent, arcs above the white jade plate

this beautiful life this beautiful night are not long:
next year where will I watch the brilliant moon

Jack Hayes
© 2016
based on Su Shi: 中秋月
zhōng qiū yuè


Note: Just as our English term "midsummer" traditionally refers to the summer solstice, the mid-autumn festival (中秋节, zhōng qiū jié) falls on the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. 

Image links to its source on Wiki Commons:
Autumn landscape from the set: Autumn and Winter Landscapes (絹本著色秋景冬景山水図) by Emperor Huizong of Song dated to 12th century Southern Song Dynasty. Color on silk. Public domain.

visiting Guanyin’s Burst of Inspiration temple on Tianzhu in the rain

visiting Guanyin’s Burst of Inspiration temple on Tianzhu in the rain


silkworms mature
wheat ripens yellow
on every face of the mountain the rain’s pouring pouring
the farmer stops his ploughing, the woman drops her basket
in white robes the Merciful One is in her high hall


Jack Hayes
© 2016
based on Su Shi: 雨中遊天竺靈感觀音院
yŭ zhōng yóu tiānzhú líng găn Guānyīn yuàn



Image links to its source on Wiki Commons:
Chinese Bodhisattva Guanyin, Song dynasty, 11th century, clay with traces of pigments; photo by Wmpearl who makes it available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.