Ancient forests
started on October 9th, 2020
revised on November 30th, 2020
Translation of a Chinese poem by **** Wei:
"I know no good way
to live and I can't
stop getting lost in my
thoughts, my ancient forests."
I think getting lost
in ancient forests
sounds lovely.
I get lost in my head
in old familiar battlefields
and imagined future apocalypses.
But an ancient forest
with cool, shaded layers of trees
doesn't sound so bad
I guess it is the lost part
that is the problem.
Maybe the ancient forests
wouldn't be so bad
if the poet knew where he was.
Feet touching the earth
anchoring this self
to this exact spot
the soul a beacon
to the world's gps system.
I am here.
I am not lost.
I am.
**** Wei was a Chinese poet who lived from 699 to 759 during the Tang dynasty. This translation of the poem is from The Overstory, by Richard Powers, on page 41.
