Two translations from the Chinese

The Deer Fence

Wang Wei (701-760)

No-one lives in these empty mountains,
Yet someone is speaking – a voice unseen.
Enter the mossy depths of the forest –
The evening sun strikes gold on green.

 

The solitary duck    

Xiao Gang (503-551)

He dabbles alone in the shallows,
Stands on a sandbank to preen,
He wants to fly, but swims transfixed -
In the water his image he’s seen.

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