A hard truth: that courage can be without meaning or impact, need not be rewarded, or even known. The world has not been made in that way. Perhaps, however, within the self there might come a resonance, the awareness of having done something difficult, of having done . . . something.

There was some sadness in how that could happen, falling out of love with something that had shaped you. Or even people who had.

The deeds of men, as footprints in the desert. Nothing under the circling moons is fated to last. Even the sun goes down.

What mortal knew the way their fate line would run?

But if you couldn't do everything, did that mean you did nothing?

Lazy poets try to elicit a reader's response with words designed to tug at the heart.

Liu Fang is a truly gifted, world-famous player of the pipa and the guzheng, classical Chinese stringed instruments.