The Orchid Door: Ancient Korean Poems by Tr. Joan S.Grigsby - HTML preview

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To a Dead Buddhist Friend

Kim Koo Yong. (1338—1384 A.D.)




You have gone far away

Beyond the clouded peaks we sought to climb.

We find no footprints on the dusty road

To tell if east or west our master went.

You have gone far away.

The bamboo grove sings in the silver dusk

The songs you sang. The new moon’s shining bow

Looks through the pine grove, seeking you in vain.

You have gone far away.

With steady staff you climbed the upward road.

Beside one stream you paused to rest awhile.

Then blinding mists swept down and you were gone.

When shall I follow you?

Not till I turn my lingering glance away

From bamboo thicket and from sickle moon

And lose myself among the formless clouds.