The Chimney written by Lo Fu
CHIMNEY
Standing alone under a pale setting sun
Black hair lifted by the wind, but a slender shadow stands still
It is a little cool below the city wall, a little lonely
I am a chimney longing to fly
Head lowered, I gaze at the long moat
The water brimming, meandering for thousands of years
Who has had me imprisoned?
Every afternoon I gaze up
At the white clouds' footprints in the sky
I yearn to travel afar;
Oh! that long river, those blue mountains
If I could be a wild crane chasing the clouds
Or even a fine speck of dust
But I'm just a shadow cast below the city wall
- yielding loneliness to others
© 1956, Lo Fu
© Translation: 2007, John Balcom
