PO CHING (SU MAN-SHU)

(1884–1918)

Having Hope, or Holding On

IN this life, how could I hope

to become a Buddha?

Hermit dreams are undependable

and my desires still unconquered.

Many thanks, my friend

for all your kind inquiries,

but I suspect my fate’s to be

just a poet-monk.

[J.P.S.]

From Japan

SPRING rain on the pagoda roof,

and the shakuhachi’s sound.

Will I ever see the Chekiang tidal bore again?

Grass sandals, broken bowl, and no one knows.

Treading on cherry blossoms, I will trudge

across yet one more bridge.

[J.P.S.]