Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?
Human being (Homo Sapiens) bears the closest resemblance.
Why? For starters, humans are animals. And I think if I were put in a lineup of varied species and a random intelligent person were asked to pick the Homo Sapiens, they’d pick me.
paper lanterns
in the Daoist temple
turn my mind to Fall.
one pink-laden tree
stands amid a wall
of spring greenery.
Mist touches cold water and moon embraces the sand.
I’m moored for the night near a tavern on the Qinhuai.
The singing girl doesn’t know the empire is in bitter ruin.
Across the river I hear her singing “Blossom of the Inner Court.”
Translation: Barnstone, Tony and Ping, Chou. 2005. The Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry: From Ancient to Contemporary. New York: Anchor Books.
Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.
Dear Sir,
Of late, we find your kungfu lacks vigor and precision. We can no longer, in good conscience, keep you in the vanguard against invading Mongolian hordes.
Try to look on the bright side.
Sincerely,
Sumwun U. Yoostahno
from still water
juts deadwood on which herons
perch with their shadows.
Spring
rainy days
make the monk Ryōkan
feel sad.
Summer
the moon in my window
is all the thief left behind.
Autumn
an autumn wind
chills the dangling persimmons,
and my testicles.
Winter
little birds have
gathered in the brushwood
on a snowy morn.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 