“The Taoist Temple Revisited” [再游玄都观] by Liu Yuxi [刘禹锡]

In half of the wide courtyard only mosses grow;
Peach blossoms all fallen, only rape flowers blow.
Where is the Taoist planting peach trees in this place?
Only I come again after my new disgrace.

Note: This is the joint translation of Xu Yuanchong and Xu Ming found in the edition of <em>Golden Treasury of Quatrains and Octaves</em> on which they collaborated (i.e. China Publishing Group: Beijing (2008.))

The “new disgrace” referenced was Liu Yuxi’s second exile.

DAILY PHOTO: Scenes from Kowloon Walled City Park

PROMPT: Teacher

What makes a teacher great?

If students choose the teacher, that is an excellent first indicator. In the typical top-down selection of teachers, it is easy to produce an abundance of shitty teachers. Of course, there is still the danger of charismatic bullshitters and easy people-pleasers, problems ever-present. But among students (as opposed to followers) they usually reveal themselves in time.

DAILY PHOTO: Scenes from Incheon Chinatown

DAILY PHOTO: Geunjeongjeon

DAILY PHOTO: Cheonggyecheon

DAILY PHOTO: Views of Namsan

DAILY PHOTO: Golgulsa: The Korean Shaolin

DAILY PHOTO: Woljeonggyo Bridge

DAILY PHOTO: North Gate of Geumjeong Fortress