诗当了然澈

A poem should be palpable and mute

缄如圆圆果

As a globed fruit,

无言自默默

Dumb

荣章今摩挲

As old medallions to the thumb,

静若阑干人久凭

Silent as the sleeve-worn stone

苔痕帘外生，罗袖将石破

Of casement ledges where the moss has grown—

诗当静无言

A poem should be wordless

鸟雀自飞天。

As the flight of birds.

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诗当恍如凝

A poem should be motionless in time

静中见月升

As the moon climbs,

去似月拾枝

Leaving, as the moon releases

渐释幽中木

Twig by twig the night-entangled trees,

亦似皎月寒叶后

Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves,

追忆萦心久，脉脉复悠悠

Memory by memory the mind—

诗当恍如凝

A poem should be motionless in time

静中见月升。

As the moon climbs.

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诗当何所同？

A poem should be equal to:

恍恍太虚境

Not true.

万古悲痛生

For all the history of grief

寥落门廊一叶枫

An empty doorway and a maple leaf.

爱者知何成？

For love

海生日月草身倾

The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea—

无伤意及旨

A poem should not mean

诗当如本是。

But be.