The Drought (Prior To The Deluge) Poem by Phan Thanh gian

In the year of the Golden Ox
A drought swept the northern land,
It brought a long lasting famine.
So a monk fasted and prayed

His fasting did not help
Nor his prayers were heeded.
The young monk cried in desperation
Then, he made an audacious attempt

The friar climbed the highest peak
There he yelled to the Sun
'Have mercy upon on us! '
'Please stop this scorching heat'

To this the great Sun replied:
'Dear, I'm unable to help'
'That's Earth's problem'
'Ask her to stop revolve around me'

Desperate, he climbed down,
Went to the deepest abyss.
He yelled out to Mother Earth:
'Please get away from Sun ma'am! '

Earth gave him a chilly shrug:
'You're insane my little monk '
'That would kill most of you! '
The monk felt even worse...

'Better talk to Rainclouds' she said
The monk screamed upon the sky
'It's time to let it pours! '
Lone white cloud giggled

'Sir, you need to ask Wind'
'He needs to bring me vapour'
'Without it, obviously I cannot rain! '
The monk's patience was worn thin

But he managed to howl at the wind
'Please bring us water vapour '
The Wind said: 'Ask the Sea'
'She has to give me humidity'

Young monk went completely bonkers
'Sea, what are you waiting for? '
Sea was taken ill but still replied
'You must be blind monk '

'You people washed down so much filth'
'Your human wastes and debris'
'Why would I help you? '
The monk woke up finally.

'Is this curse our fault? ' Monk said
'Who else you ingrates' Sea replied
Then, the angry Sea stormed:
'Here comes all your dirty water! '