David Hinton Quotes

“Rats so fat, rats so grand
feasting on our millet–
three years your slaves
And we’re nothing to you.
We’re dying to leave you,
leave for that joyous land,
that joyous joyous land,
and live out our dreams.

Rats so fat, rats so grand
feasting on our wheat–
three years your slaves
and to us you’re heartless.
We’re dying to leave you,
leave for that joyous nation,
that joyous joyous nation,
and live out our true way.

Rats so fat, rats so grand
feasting on our sprouts–
three years your slaves
and you give nothing back.
We’re dying to leave you,
leave for those joyous fields,
those joyous joyous fields,
and end all this mourning.”
― David Hinton, Classical Chinese Poetry: An Anthology