Qiang Village
I
West of red clouds looming
sunbeams descend on level land.
At the ramshackle gate sparrows raise a din—
the traveler has come back across a thousand leagues.
My wife and children are amazed I survived,
when surprise settles, they wipe away tears.
I was tossed about in the world’s troubles,
now by luck I have managed to come back alive.
Neighbors fill the tops of the walls,
stirred to sighs, and even sobbing.
At night’s end I again take candle
and face you as if in a dream.