Autumn Thoughts

To the tune of Sky-Clear Sand: Autumn Thoughts by Ma Chih-yuan (1260-1324)

Withered vine,
old tree,
crows.

A small bridge,
running water,
houses.

Ancient road,
west wind,
lean horse,

sun sinking
in the west --

and a man,
crushed,
at the sky's edge.

- trans. Arthur Sze