Topic: I Stand Alone

[nichi]

A falcon hovers at the edge of the sky.
Two gulls drift slowly up the river.

Vulnerable while they ride the wind,
they coast and glide with ease.

Dew is heavy on the grass below,
the spider's web is ready.

Heaven's ways include the human:
among a thousand sorrows, I stand alone.

Tu Fu
8th Century China

[tommy2]

Such a reminder.

Thank you, Vicki !

[Michael]

A falcon hovers at the edge of the sky.
Two gulls drift slowly up the river.

Vulnerable while they ride the wind,
they coast and glide with ease.

Dew is heavy on the grass below,
the spider's web is ready.

Heaven's ways include the human:
among a thousand sorrows, I stand alone.

Tu Fu
8th Century China

That one hit the spot. btw it's the first Tu Fu poem I have really liked.

I began reading this poem when julie started talking to me - i soon became aware i couldn't get through the poem as the evening progressed and i realised the julie needed my attention, so i put my laptop aside and we went through all the stuff that has been upsetting her. about an hour later i came back to the poem and finally got through to the last line, and realised it encapsulated the whole mood of our conversation. i read it to her an she also saw it was spot on. another she wants printed out and pasted on the fridge (where we put such things).

Then she told me of the doco she watched of journalists private responses to the horrific things they have had to witness in their line of work - which was really horrific. and we realised not only were our little problems little, but that Tu Fu had captured so much understanding in so few words. now we put on an india bhajan CD an immediately we could move on - another hurdle.

... another night ...

thanks v