01/12/2025 Poem by Tu Fu by Tim Burkett

A POEM BY TU FU 8th century China
Amid spring mountains, my absence friend, alone searching for you.
Ax strokes, crack---crack and quit. Quiet mystery deepens.
Following a stream up into last snow and ice, and beyond, dusk light aslant, to Stone Gate forests.
Deer roam all morning here, for you harm nothing, want nothing. Wanting nothing you know chi gold and silver all night.
Bursting forth in such dark---the way home lost. I feel it drifting, this whole empty boat.