Busy Summer Days and Chinese Poetry

Some at wine tastings
another, seems like yesterday
he was so small.
Two, I cannot even imagine
on these surf boards
Another cooking away in New York.
One will soon begin the journey
far over the ocean.
Her first born is discovering
painting talent.  I remember
the easel that once was a gift
and never took the time to be
still and just paint...
For this matriarch - all remains the same
a light shower and gardens look
a little refreshed.
A pocket of peace are
Chinese poetry books
she  finds reading them
 very relaxing.....
Thank you special son
for introducing me to these wonderful words
I will find much pleasure in your collection of
these books...

I admire how easily contentment comes
just sitting here in the midst of all this,
and marveling at the song of heaven,
I blend in a few words and let it
voice my nature: a far-country recluse
caught in nets of human consequence.
My best years offered up day by day,
I trust old age to this mountain return,
a tired bird finding its thick forests,
a worn-out fish back in clear streams
If I ever left here, where would I go---
that people realm all trial and peril?

Mountain Home - The Wilderness Poetry of Ancient China
                Translated by David Hinton