The Old Guanyin Temple
To reach the old Guanyin temple
You’ll need get out by the side of the road
and continue on foot,
because cars can’t go beyond this point.
You’ll walk past a clear lake you’ve never seen before,
and over three stone bridges.
You’ll see sheep
and cattle too, which you haven’t seen in years.
You’ll walk three or four li through mulberry fields,
climb three uphill slopes,
and as you walk you’ll remember many things
and forget many things as well.
By the time you arrive at the ancient temple
you’ll be an elderly peasant woman,
weatherbeaten,
kneeling in the great hall,
and no one will know who you are.
About the translators
Austin Woerner is a Creative Fellow in Chinese-English literary translation at the University of Leeds.
Ouyang Yizhi is an MA student currently studying English Literature at the University of Leeds School of English.