Arthur Waley, trans. On the Birth of a Son. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22.

On the Birth of a Son

By Arthur Waley, trans.


From “Chinese Poems” Su Shih—Eleventh Century FAMILIES when a child is born
Hope it will turn out intelligent.
I, through intelligence
Having wrecked my whole life,
Only hope that the baby will prove	5
Ignorant and stupid.
Then he’ll be happy all his days
And grow into a Cabinet Minister.