A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems/Climbing a Mountain

CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN

By Tao-yün [circa A. D. 400], wife of General Wang Ning-chih. The general was so stupid that she finally deserted him.

High rises the Eastern Peak
Soaring up to the blue sky.
Among the rocks — an empty hollow,
Secret, still, mysterious!
Uncarved and unhewn.
Screened by nature with a roof of clouds.
Times and Seasons, what things are you
Bringing to my life ceaseless change?
I will lodge forever in this hollow
Where Springs and Autumns unheeded pass.