CHINOISERIE II

I have tried to devote myself to simplicity

But it isn’t that easy.

I trust myself to nothing, not even the star-sprung night sky.

I wish I were able to live in the constant, and wait out

The end, content to live in the come-and-go of things.

But it’s hard, boys, it is hard,

                                                  a regret and a non-regret.

Li Po was able to detach self from himself, they say, and

Lower and blend his self into the ten thousand things.

Would that detachment were mine, Lord,

                                                                    O would it were mine.

The summer tumbles me into its shadowy depths.

It’s dusk again, enveloping dusk,

No lights to light my way, not here nor there

                                                           where I could forget myself.