Coming Home

By the Flower-Washing River
on the western bank

master of my house, I’ve chosen
this quiet woods and riverbank

outside the city, well away
from business, dust, entanglements

here where clear water
rinses away a traveler’s sadness

too many dragonflies to count
hover and play on the water

two wood ducks swim straight toward me
then dive and disappear

I could go a thousand miles east
riding on my high spirits

skimming along in the shade of mountains
aboard a simple skiff!

– Du Fu –

Photo of woodcut by Sandra McPherson