Status Updates From The Clouds Float North: The...

the spirit makes fine, fresh verses
and then is broken

it’s like watching a lovely young woman
give up her will to live

these gorgeous young creatures
who knows what they’ll come to?

the clouds float north.
the clouds float south.

when you can be like the rain
your heart will have strength to go on

my mother would get upset
because i talked to flowers

and my lover was from the past
a poet who came to me in dreams

take bamboo groves
for boon companions

make friends with rocks
in steep outcroppings

and let your whole wealth be
ordinary swallows and sparrows

forget about gold and silver
forget about ambition

spring will fill your cup
with good green wine

ten thousand peach trees by the river
stand in the rain, blooming red

if someone sets wine before you,
don’t act disappointed

from ancient days to the present
sorrow and joy are twins.