Listening to the evening rain in my hermitage

Listening to the evening rain in my hermitage.
The Great Way? I braid spring flowers into a ball.
The future? If a visitor brings these questions
I have only the tranquillity of the hermitage to offer.

Ryokan

In the empty doorway many petals are scattered

In the empty doorway many petals are scattered;
As they fall they blend with the song of the birds.
Slowly, the bright spring sun appears in the window
And a thin line of smoke drifts from the incense burner.



Ryokan

Je cueille des chrysanthèmes au pied de la haie

Je cueille des chrysanthèmes au pied de la haie,
Et contemple en silence la montagne du Sud.
L’air de la montagne est pur dans le crépuscule,
Et les oiseaux, par bandes, regagnent leur nid.
Toutes ces choses ont un sens profond,
Mais lorsque j’essaie de l’exprimer,
Il se perd dans le silence.

Tao Yuanming