Spirit

Tao Qian

The Great Potter never hands out favors.
These ten thousand things thrive each

of themselves alone. If humans rank with
heaven and earth, isn’t it because of me?

And though we’re different sorts of things
entirely, we’ve been inseparable since

birth, together through better and worse,
and I’ve always told you what I thought.

The Three Emperors were the wisest of men,
but where are they now? And loving his

eight-hundred-year life, old P’eng-tsu
wanted to stay on here, but he too set out.

Young and old die the same death. When it
comes, the difference between sage and fool

vanishes. Drinking every day may help you
forget, but won’t it bring an early grave?

And though good works may bring lasting
joy, who will sing your praise? Listen –

it’s never-ending analysis that wounds us.
Why not circle away in the seasons, adrift

on the Great Transformation, riding its vast
swells without fear or delight? Once your

time comes to an end, you end: not another
moment lost to all those lonely worries.