June 21st, 2017

Passing the Monastery of Gathered Fragrance

Where is it, the Monastery of Gathered Fragrance?
Mile after mile I climb the cloudy peaks;
Here are old trees, a path that no man treads
And deep in the hills the sound of a temple bell;
A fountain chokes on jagged rocks,
Among these dark green pines the sun seems chill;
I come at twilight to a deep pool
Can the monk at his devotions curb the evil dragon?

Wang Wei (701-761)