Songs of a Cowherd/Floating Water-Weeds
Floating Water-Weeds
(On the first anniversary of Nanaye who was drowned in the garden pond)
Holding high the tablet with her name—
Once my daughter,
Now a Bodhisattva—
Reverently I ushered her
Into my new abode.
The pool of our woes was filled
And is no more;
Yet the tangles of floating weeds
Vanish not from my sight.
With fear, grief, and remorse,
For eight times ten
I encircled the dark waters of the pool,
But not even her sandals could I find.
None may mourn for thee,
But to our life’s end
We shall yearn for thee and guard thee,
Thy father and mother!