Meng hao-jan - Poems
These short musical sketches were inspired by the following poems written by
the T'ang dynasty poet Meng Hao-jan
(689-740 C.E.). Deeply influenced by
Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism, Meng was the first to make poetry from the Ch'an
insight that deep understanding lies beyond words. The result was a
strikingly distilled language that opened new
inner depths, non-verbal
insights, and outright enigma. This made Meng Hao-jan China's first master
of the short
imagistic landscape poem that came to typify ancient Chinese
poetry.
The poems were translated by David Hinton as published in the book 'The
Mountain Poems of Meng Hao-jan',
published by Archipelago books.
Adrift
Adrift on a Summer's Day, I visit the Hermitage of Recluse T'eng
Ch'i chill-thickened at the water pavilion,
oars all
idleness, I stop by to visit. It's late,
pine and bamboo alight in stream shadow,
lotus and chestnut scenting fragrant
pools.
Country kids freshen our wine-loose dance,
mountain birds laugh with our tipsy song,
until delight in quieter
mystery deepens into
adoration: dusk-lit mist, the inevitable dark.
Listening
Listening to Cheng Yin Play His Ch'in
Another Juan Chi ripening wine's renown
in bamboo forests full of crystalline
wind,
you sit half drunk, let down flowing sleeves
and sweep your dragon-rimmed ch’in clean.
Then it's a fresh
tune for each cup of wine,
dusk's blaze sinking away unnoticed. Soon,
thoughts deep among rivers and mountains,
I hear this mind my former lives all share.
Overnight
Overnight on Abiding-Integrity River
I guide the boat in, anchor off island mist.
It's dusk, time a traveler's loneliness
returns.
Heaven settles far and wide into the trees,
and on this clear river, a moon drifts near.
Traveling
Traveling to Yueh, I Linger Out Farewell with Chang and Shen
This morning I set off down Rule-Water Canal
and
tonight stop over on the border of Ch'iao,
full of joy because this west wind has blown
us together here, old friends
meeting again.
You'll stay, perfecting Mei Fu's recluse way,
and I'll set out following the hermit Po Luan.
after this
farewell, we'll think of each other
anytime: clouds floating above Wu and Kuei.
Recorded in Los Angeles, October 2007.
Recording engineer: Wayne Peet
Bass Clarinet: Andrew Pask
Composition/Drums: Edward Ware
