Flowing Waters
A Poem for the 722 BC Guqin Instrumental High Mountains Flowing Water as Played by Guan Pinghu
a drop, turning to drops, and more drops, melting slowly from the frozen glacier //
starting at the top of mountains i fall gathering strength and a melody as i go a mountain stream in joy leaping over small boulders on my way// where do i travel do you ask, it is to join the other mountain brooks on the way and falling together down the side of the cliff we travel onward to the sea//
now the shy fish are in our waters, beneath the tiny waterfalls// hiding deep in silent pools, and underneath the surface always moving traveling onward toward the sea// have you any thirst, you can safely drink from me//
how the cities look from the ground, passing under bridges making shadows with abandon though our course may be restricted by the manmade banks//traveling slowly through the countryside, a few ripples interrupting //and moving on our way, opening to a wider basin at the edge of the sea//
water moving back and forth in waves as we join the sea playing with the friendly birds and porpoise leaping up and falling back//
a little rain begins to fall and dropping gently waters the field in which you stand remembering all that has passed between the beginning and the end//
where lies the beginning and the end—
a drop, a drop, drops
I have included a link to the piece as found Youtube, but the song is available on Spotify, Apple Music and most services where music is sold. The recording was included on the Voyager Golden Records and in a UNESCO world heritage album. Thanks for reading, Natalie
About the Creator
Natalie Wilkinson
Writing. Woven and Printed Textile Design. Architectural Drafting. Learning Japanese. Gardening. Two poems are featured in a new print anthology-POETICS: Grain available at Bainbridge Island Press.
IG: @maisonette _textiles
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