30



in vain I slave to understand the three histories;
uselessly I pored over the five classics
until I'm old I'll go on checking census figures;
as in the past, a petty clerk scribbling in
tax ledgers.

when I ask the I Ching it says there's
trouble ahead;
all my life is ruled by evil stars.
if only I could be like the tree at the rivers edge
every year turning green again!



Han-shan

Cold Mountain, 30