Classic Poem

Not old, not young either,
my years exceed three dozen.
Not lowly, and yet not eminent —
for the first time assigned a post at court.
Meager talent, easily resigned to my lot,
liberal in mind, body at all times relaxed.
Any food that fills my belly I look on as tasty;
if there's room for my knees, I'm content with my quarters.
How much more so this Pine Study of mine,
one ch'in , a couple of bags of books.
With books I don't try too hard to get the meaning;
the ch'in play for my own enjoyment.
Nights on duty, I enter the ruler's gates,
come home later to sleep in my own house.
I let my body move with the flow of things,
my mind I consign to emptiness.
This is how I get through the days,
the natural way, way of much repose,
blankly blank, silent, unspeaking,
not wise — not stupid either.