A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems/Taoist Song

by Chi K'ang

TAOIST SONG

By Chi K'ang [A. D. 223–262]

I will cast out Wisdom and reject Learning.
My thoughts shall wander in the Great Void (bis)
Always repenting of wrongs done
Will never bring my heart to rest.
I cast my hook in a single stream;
But my joy is as though I possessed a Kingdom.
I loose my hair and go singing;
To the four frontiers men join in my refrain.
This is the purport of my song:
"My thoughts shall wander in the Great Void."