The Nine Songs of Chu Ci: The Great Fate Lord

The Nine Songs of Chu: The Great Lord of Fate

Inspired by Qu Yuan's The Nine Songs: The Great Lord of Fate, a story derived from the poem

Throw wide the gates of heaven, and I ride on swirling clouds.

Let the whirling winds go before me, and the freezing rain wash the dust away.

You wheel in flight and descend; I cross the hollow mulberry tree to follow you.

All is in tumult throughout the nine regions; who decides who lives long and who dies young?

I soar high and glide in peace, riding the pure breath and commanding yin and yang.

You and I hasten together, guiding the divine emperor through the nine passes.

The spirit's robes flutter; jade pendants shimmer and sway.

One moment yin, the next yang, none knows what I am doing.

I pluck the fine hemp blossoms, to give them to the one who lives apart.

Age creeps on, nearing its end; we draw no closer, only grow more distant.

The dragon-drawn chariot rumbles; we speed high into the sky.

I clasp a cassia branch and wait, yet my longing only deepens my sorrow.

What can I do, heartsick as I am? I wish things could stay as they are, without change.

Human life has its appointed course; who can control parting and reunion?