Daily Poem: The South ~ Wang Chen
The South
~ Wang Chen
Translated from Chinese by Arthur Waley
(I was unable to find a web page referencing Wang Chen. If you know of one, please enlighten me!)
In the southern land many birds sing;
Of towns and cities half are unwalled.
The country markets are thronged by wild tribes;
The mountain-villages bear river-names.
Poisonous mists rise from the damp sands;
Strange fires gleam through the night-rain.
And none passes but the lonely seeker of pearls
Year by year on his way to the South Sea.
