04 Sep 05 Heaven my blanket, Earth my pillow

Here is a poem from a collection I am reading - Heaven my blanket, Earth my Pillow by a Song dynasty poet Yang Wan-Li

When are my travels ever going to end?
My old body has come to this inn again.
The roadside pines and junipers are ten years older,
once short but now tall and stately.
The place where I stopped last night is far away;
and tomorrow, tonight will be last night.
In just an instant the present has become the past–
I’d have to be a saint not to drink wine!

Writing postcards in lieu of poetry. A hillside inn in Bali, Indonesia.

Reader's Comments

1. yongkian | 04 Sep 2005 4:21 pm

   Nice poem! So you are in Bali?

2. preetam rai | 05 Sep 2005 10:23 am

   not at the moment, this pic is from a while back.

3. Dan | 06 Sep 2005 2:58 am

   Beautiful poem and nice picture! …And very nice Preetam in the picture…Have a blessed day!

4. elf | 06 Sep 2005 11:46 am

   preetam was smilin in dark?
   looks so nice…haha i like!!

   i love the very nice feelin in the poem,just like LI Bai the Tang post`s poem a lit
   thank u to share ….

   enjoy every day

5. brandon | 07 Sep 2005 2:44 am

   brilliant. gotta love translated chinese poetry.

6. preetamrai | 07 Sep 2005 3:59 pm

   Thanks, Dan, Elf and Brandon, yes, I liked this poem, the poet’s feeling is not lost in translation.

7. obata | 08 Sep 2005 10:14 am

   At long last, I set up internet connection at home. Thank you very much for your help so far.
   See you.

8. gecko | 02 Oct 2005 10:26 pm

   is it facing Gunung Batur? this was the cliffside restaurant that had many flies buzzing… but the view from the balcony side is beautiful, isn’t it?

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website