2007-01-19

Two Poems

*

So long as swallows come flying back
I have a reason to live
So long as the sea
those swallows cross
has a southern shore
there's a reason for waiting for tomorrow

I have a reason for longing for you

*

Light across the river

No one asked
No one answered


-- Ko Un

2007-01-16

still chuckling over that last sentence

I couldn't have done it, Mr. P. The whole daily diary rundown. Glad you did.

Diary of Samuel Pepys: Jan. 15, 1664

Up and to my office, where all the morning, and among other things Mr. Turner with me, and I did tell him my mind about the Controller his master and all the office, and my mind touching himself too, as he did carry himself either well or ill to me and my clerks, which I doubt not but it will operate well. Thence to the 'Change, and there met my uncle Wight, who was very kind to me, and would have had me home with him, and so kind that I begin to wonder and think something of it of good to me. Thence home to dinner, and after dinner with Mr. Hater by water, and walked thither and back again from Deptford, where I did do something checking the iron business, but my chief business was my discourse with Mr. Hater about what had passed last night and to-day about the office business, and my resolution to do him all the good I can therein. So home, and my wife tells me that my uncle Wight hath been with her, and played at cards with her, and is mighty inquisitive to know whether she is with child or no, which makes me wonder what his meaning is, and after all my thoughts, I cannot think, unless it be in order to the making his will, that he might know how to do by me, and I would to God my wife had told him that she was.