Hunger And Thirst Poem by Kong Yin

On the winding path
I rushed along,
for the grand banquet was prepared in the palace.
Before the heavily-guarded gate
I knelt and proffered my gold-scripted invitation.

Delicacies, extravagant drinks
silhouettes in and out
cheers back and forth -
and I tumble home intoxicated.

On my return journey
I travelled day and night
in rain and wind.
Soon I hungered again
and my feet could not go one step further
recalling the delicious banquet
to no avail.
How could yesterday’s feast
fill today’s belly?

By the clear stream
I leaned feebly on a bodhi tree
until gurgling water sent me to sleep.
In my dream, I passed by your redbud hut.
You opened the door with a smile
handing me a cup of nectar.
'Drink it, my child!
What you seek is not worldly,
so how could you rely on a grand feast? '

In wilderness
I woke
my lips recalling the taste,
though you and your hut had vanished
leaving only the redbud flowers
under the bodhi tree
accompanying me by the stream
listening to the water babbling.

Since then,
regardless of where I strayed,
when was I ever hungry or thirsty?