1037–1101
12th Moon, 14th Sun: A Light Snow Fell Overnight, So I Set Out Early for South Creek, Stopped for a Quick Meal and Arrived Late
Snowfall at South Creek: it’s the most priceless of things,
so I set out to see it before it melts. Hurrying my horse,
pushing through thickets alone, I watch for footprints,
and at dawn, I’m first across fresh snow on a red bridge!
Houses in shambles beyond belief, nowhere even to sleep,
I sit facing a village of starvation, voices mere murmurs.
Only the evening crows know my thoughts, startled into
flight, a thousand flakes tumbling through cold branches.
Translated from the Chinese by David Hinton.