love is an image
of mountain ranges encircled by clouds
on shifting water.
drifting and silent, evening mist far
from the foothills and the woods' edge
slowly and tidelike drowns this wasted sky.
my solitary shadow faces a dark road
like a ship without a compass
lost in the fury of the sea.

courage of the soul is the secret
to a life of dignity.
the thick fog lifts to the steadfast light
of the curved, jade-like moon
peeping through the clouds' openings.
every day i have to believe
that there is some beauty
behind the gauze curtain of tomorrow;

the azure sky, the moonlight--
these are what sustain
a mountain pilgrim