vanity

 

since I was a tyke
till now when I’m old
I’ve cared for different things
but I’ve always been busy
building sand-pagodas on the beach
covered with jade at court
the games of children both
things that have no permanence
busy hands perplex the heart
without scriptures doctrine is sound
striving to find the way
only makes your error worse

 

Po Chü-I
tr. after Waley