Written in Exile. Liu Tsung-yuan

universe was there in our hands

      emptiness and the source of all things

      we saw our existence free of thoughts

      free of the buzzing of gnats

      and the fear of mountain spirits

      how could we work for mere trifles

      how could we bend at the waist

      gazing at this most wondrous of sights

      listening to the subtlest of sounds

      today we finally understood

      as never before we felt awake

      if we don’t continue this journey

      how shall we live out this life

      taking an uncommon path is rare

      but we’ve never trusted empty names

      getting free requires help from outside

      bowing in silence and looking within

      reflecting and respecting old ways

      we’ve finally found our true clan

      小劫不逾瞬，大千若在掌。體空得化元，觀有遺細想。

      喧煩困蠛蠓，跼蹐疲魍魎。寸進諒何營，尋直非所枉。

      探奇極遙矚，窮妙閱清響。理會方在今，神開庶殊曩。

      茲游苟不嗣，浩氣竟誰養。道異誠所希，名賓匪余仗。

      超攎藉外獎，俛默有內朗。鑑爾揖古風，終焉乃吾黨。

      free of restraints living in seclusion

      up high above the world of dust

      ambition is a waste of effort

      how could we follow the footprints of others

      we lingered until the sun went down

      looking into the distance entranced

      at columns of geese in the fading light

      wave upon wave of ever-changing clouds

      the wind dying down then rising

      the road below leading into the distance

      prisoners in a cangue fear a flood

      exiles far from home hate the wind