Another adaptation…
Peach Blossom
Ask why I stay on the green mountain
and I smile but do not answer; my heart rests.
A peach blossom floats downstream –
Heaven and earth, apart from this world.
The transliteration on Chinese-poems.com is as follows:
Ask me what reason stay green mountain
Smile but not answer heart self idle
Peach blossom flow water far go
Apart have heaven earth in human world
There the poem is titled “Question and Answer on the Mountain.”
Note: an alternative reading of the last line is “apart from” the human world.
O at the Edges 
Yep, like it a lot. I hope you’re having fun with these, it seems like it. I’m enjoying them, just so ya know. 😉
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They are indeed fun, as well as challenging, and have served as mirrors to my own work (not always a positive reflection)!
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I really like to see both versions. It really does pull into focus the awfully hard job translators face…
Very interesting indeed.
Darren
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The question is always “how can I assemble these words into a poem that works for me?” This has been an excellent exercise in craft – in both diction and rhythm.
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My admiration.
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Beautiful either way, but I prefer the first.
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That’s beautiful. It’s lovely to see it in both forms. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Poems From the Night Owl.
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Thanks for reblogging this!
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Beautiful adaptation of Peach Blossom – very poetic!
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I went back and looked at JP Seaton’s translation of this in his very good collection of Li Po’s work, and I like your “adaptation” better. I think that last line is particularly difficult to parse, and in three different translations I have read it has three different meanings. I actually think that is a good thing.
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High praise, indeed! I struggled with the last line, but ultimately chose what I thought offered balance to the piece. And I agree that finding different meanings is a good thing. A very good thing.
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Very nice.
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As an admirer of Li Po’s work, I can definitely appreciate this post. Either way, a great job! 😀
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Very interesting! Thank U so much for sharing xX
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What Blake saw in a grain of sand Li Po does in a peach blossom! Beauty!
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Exactly!
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Reblogged this on poetbblog.
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Thanks for reblogging.
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I really liked
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