A poem should be palpable and mute

诗当了然澈

As a globed fruit,

缄如圆圆果

Dumb

无言自默默

As old medallions to the thumb,

荣章今摩挲

Silent as the sleeve-worn stone

静若阑干人久凭

Of casement ledges where the moss has grown—

苔痕帘外生，罗袖将石破

A poem should be wordless

诗当静无言

As the flight of birds.

鸟雀自飞天。

                         *

*

A poem should be motionless in time

诗当恍如凝

As the moon climbs,

静中见月升

Leaving, as the moon releases

去似月拾枝

Twig by twig the night-entangled trees,

渐释幽中木

Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves,

亦似皎月寒叶后

Memory by memory the mind—

追忆萦心久，脉脉复悠悠

A poem should be motionless in time

诗当恍如凝

As the moon climbs.

静中见月升。

                         *

*

A poem should be equal to:

诗当何所同？

Not true.

恍恍太虚境

For all the history of grief

万古悲痛生

An empty doorway and a maple leaf.

寥落门廊一叶枫

For love

爱者知何成？

The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea—

海生日月草身倾

A poem should not mean

无伤意及旨

But be.

诗当如本是。