Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Artist | Translator
Author of A FOREST OF NAMES (Wesleyan University Press) 2020 |
NEA Literary Translation Fellowship 2019 |
TEDx talk: http://bit.ly/1Slhjr8 |
ianboyden.com
Author of A FOREST OF NAMES (Wesleyan University Press) 2020 |
NEA Literary Translation Fellowship 2019 |
TEDx talk: http://bit.ly/1Slhjr8 |
ianboyden.com
Reposted by Ian Boyden
Autumn wings, the wind.
Somewhere there’s a tree,
whose every leaf dreams of flight.
— Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Léon Spilliaert
Somewhere there’s a tree,
whose every leaf dreams of flight.
— Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Léon Spilliaert
October 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Autumn wings, the wind.
Somewhere there’s a tree,
whose every leaf dreams of flight.
— Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Léon Spilliaert
Somewhere there’s a tree,
whose every leaf dreams of flight.
— Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Léon Spilliaert
Reposted by Ian Boyden
July 15, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Reposted by Ian Boyden
A carving of light,
a hewn moon,
a heart suspended
between two shores.
~ Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
David Hockney
a hewn moon,
a heart suspended
between two shores.
~ Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
David Hockney
July 10, 2025 at 2:46 AM
A carving of light,
a hewn moon,
a heart suspended
between two shores.
~ Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
David Hockney
a hewn moon,
a heart suspended
between two shores.
~ Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
David Hockney
Reposted by Ian Boyden
The Ascent of Beauty
She climbed, each step a quiet drum.
Antlers bleaching among spring wildflowers.
—Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Georgia O’Keeffe
She climbed, each step a quiet drum.
Antlers bleaching among spring wildflowers.
—Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Georgia O’Keeffe
May 21, 2025 at 11:56 PM
The Ascent of Beauty
She climbed, each step a quiet drum.
Antlers bleaching among spring wildflowers.
—Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Georgia O’Keeffe
She climbed, each step a quiet drum.
Antlers bleaching among spring wildflowers.
—Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Georgia O’Keeffe
Reposted by Ian Boyden
“He said, you Americans are so naive. He said, you think that evil is going to come into your houses wearing big black boots and climb up the stairs—it begins in the language. Look to the language.”
-Joseph Brodsky, as recounted by Marie Howe themillions.com/2018/01/tk-t...
-Joseph Brodsky, as recounted by Marie Howe themillions.com/2018/01/tk-t...
February 15, 2025 at 11:11 PM
“He said, you Americans are so naive. He said, you think that evil is going to come into your houses wearing big black boots and climb up the stairs—it begins in the language. Look to the language.”
-Joseph Brodsky, as recounted by Marie Howe themillions.com/2018/01/tk-t...
-Joseph Brodsky, as recounted by Marie Howe themillions.com/2018/01/tk-t...
Reposted by Ian Boyden
We live in capitalism, its power seems inescapable – but then, so did the divine right of kings.
— Ursula K. Le Guin
— Ursula K. Le Guin
February 17, 2025 at 12:26 AM
We live in capitalism, its power seems inescapable – but then, so did the divine right of kings.
— Ursula K. Le Guin
— Ursula K. Le Guin
Reposted by Ian Boyden
Join great poet Jane Hirshfield Feb 21-23 at Upaya.
ONSITE www.upaya.org/program/the-...
ONLINE www.upaya.org/program/the-...
WIth poet Jimmy Jimmy Santiago Baca, artist translators Ian Boyden and Kazi Tanahashi, and Roshi Joan.
ONSITE www.upaya.org/program/the-...
ONLINE www.upaya.org/program/the-...
WIth poet Jimmy Jimmy Santiago Baca, artist translators Ian Boyden and Kazi Tanahashi, and Roshi Joan.
February 17, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Join great poet Jane Hirshfield Feb 21-23 at Upaya.
ONSITE www.upaya.org/program/the-...
ONLINE www.upaya.org/program/the-...
WIth poet Jimmy Jimmy Santiago Baca, artist translators Ian Boyden and Kazi Tanahashi, and Roshi Joan.
ONSITE www.upaya.org/program/the-...
ONLINE www.upaya.org/program/the-...
WIth poet Jimmy Jimmy Santiago Baca, artist translators Ian Boyden and Kazi Tanahashi, and Roshi Joan.
Reposted by Ian Boyden
We are so grateful to share the rare opportunity to learn with Sensei Kazuaki Tanahashi through our ONLINE CALLIGRAPHY PROGRAM this weekend. Feb 14–16. Online (+ a few spaces have opened up to join us in person)
Register HERE (FREE, by donation): www.upaya.org/program/call...
Register HERE (FREE, by donation): www.upaya.org/program/call...
February 12, 2025 at 9:04 PM
We are so grateful to share the rare opportunity to learn with Sensei Kazuaki Tanahashi through our ONLINE CALLIGRAPHY PROGRAM this weekend. Feb 14–16. Online (+ a few spaces have opened up to join us in person)
Register HERE (FREE, by donation): www.upaya.org/program/call...
Register HERE (FREE, by donation): www.upaya.org/program/call...
Reposted by Ian Boyden
#ManuscriptMonday Diss track edition.
2 folios of a Tibetan manuscript from Dunhuang (c. 900-950) known as the Tibetan Chan Compendium, that records philosophical & ritual traditions of Chan Buddhism transmitted in Tibet. #TibetanStudies
1/
2 folios of a Tibetan manuscript from Dunhuang (c. 900-950) known as the Tibetan Chan Compendium, that records philosophical & ritual traditions of Chan Buddhism transmitted in Tibet. #TibetanStudies
1/
February 10, 2025 at 3:20 PM
#ManuscriptMonday Diss track edition.
2 folios of a Tibetan manuscript from Dunhuang (c. 900-950) known as the Tibetan Chan Compendium, that records philosophical & ritual traditions of Chan Buddhism transmitted in Tibet. #TibetanStudies
1/
2 folios of a Tibetan manuscript from Dunhuang (c. 900-950) known as the Tibetan Chan Compendium, that records philosophical & ritual traditions of Chan Buddhism transmitted in Tibet. #TibetanStudies
1/
“I want to live in the imperative of the future passive participle—in the ‘what ought to be.’”
—Osip Mandelstam
—Osip Mandelstam
January 31, 2025 at 2:36 PM
“I want to live in the imperative of the future passive participle—in the ‘what ought to be.’”
—Osip Mandelstam
—Osip Mandelstam
Reposted by Ian Boyden
Deepseek on Tibet. Completely expected but deeply disturbing.
January 30, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Deepseek on Tibet. Completely expected but deeply disturbing.
Reposted by Ian Boyden
We are also thrilled to welcome visual artist, writer, translator, and curator Ian Boyden, to HAIKU AND POETRY MEETING THIS VERY WORLD: The Practice of Discovering and Writing. @ianboyden.bsky.social @joanhalifax.bsky.social
Register here (online, FREE,+ by donation): www.upaya.org/program/the-...
Register here (online, FREE,+ by donation): www.upaya.org/program/the-...
January 27, 2025 at 6:41 PM
We are also thrilled to welcome visual artist, writer, translator, and curator Ian Boyden, to HAIKU AND POETRY MEETING THIS VERY WORLD: The Practice of Discovering and Writing. @ianboyden.bsky.social @joanhalifax.bsky.social
Register here (online, FREE,+ by donation): www.upaya.org/program/the-...
Register here (online, FREE,+ by donation): www.upaya.org/program/the-...
Reposted by Ian Boyden
A monk asked joshu, “When great difficulties come upon us, how can they be avoided?”
Joshu said, “Welcome.”
Joshu said, “Welcome.”
January 25, 2025 at 1:17 AM
A monk asked joshu, “When great difficulties come upon us, how can they be avoided?”
Joshu said, “Welcome.”
Joshu said, “Welcome.”
No, you think about it.😂
—David Lynch
—David Lynch
Vale David Lynch, creator of worlds.
I've always liked this exchange ("Where do ideas come from?") he had with Paul Holdengraber.
#storyworlds #davidlynch
youtu.be/Fxr-7O1Bfxg?...
I've always liked this exchange ("Where do ideas come from?") he had with Paul Holdengraber.
#storyworlds #davidlynch
youtu.be/Fxr-7O1Bfxg?...
David Lynch: Where do ideas come from?
YouTube video by BAMorg
youtu.be
January 17, 2025 at 4:44 PM
No, you think about it.😂
—David Lynch
—David Lynch
How wondrous! Thank you for pairing it with such a mysterious photograph. Are those plover tracks???
This poem was written for a child named Sandbar Lord (沚君), who was killed in the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. From my book A FOREST OF NAMES. Published by @weslpress.bsky.social...
This poem was written for a child named Sandbar Lord (沚君), who was killed in the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. From my book A FOREST OF NAMES. Published by @weslpress.bsky.social...
The edges of his heart,
written by footprints of plovers,
anchored by love,
washed by rain.
— Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Carmel Beach
written by footprints of plovers,
anchored by love,
washed by rain.
— Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Carmel Beach
December 30, 2024 at 4:18 AM
How wondrous! Thank you for pairing it with such a mysterious photograph. Are those plover tracks???
This poem was written for a child named Sandbar Lord (沚君), who was killed in the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. From my book A FOREST OF NAMES. Published by @weslpress.bsky.social...
This poem was written for a child named Sandbar Lord (沚君), who was killed in the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. From my book A FOREST OF NAMES. Published by @weslpress.bsky.social...
Reposted by Ian Boyden
Bring me all of your dreams
You dreamers,
bring me all of your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world
~ Langston Hughes
Ian Boyden | Fog Remnant Stone
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Beautiful backstory:
www.ianboyden.com/posts/nephol...
You dreamers,
bring me all of your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world
~ Langston Hughes
Ian Boyden | Fog Remnant Stone
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Beautiful backstory:
www.ianboyden.com/posts/nephol...
December 7, 2024 at 8:57 PM
Bring me all of your dreams
You dreamers,
bring me all of your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world
~ Langston Hughes
Ian Boyden | Fog Remnant Stone
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Beautiful backstory:
www.ianboyden.com/posts/nephol...
You dreamers,
bring me all of your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world
~ Langston Hughes
Ian Boyden | Fog Remnant Stone
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Beautiful backstory:
www.ianboyden.com/posts/nephol...
Reposted by Ian Boyden
Was I carrying any object which could be dangerous to other passengers?
I said yes.
Startled, she asked: What?
I told her: just my heart.
-Agha Shahid Ali
I said yes.
Startled, she asked: What?
I told her: just my heart.
-Agha Shahid Ali
November 18, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Was I carrying any object which could be dangerous to other passengers?
I said yes.
Startled, she asked: What?
I told her: just my heart.
-Agha Shahid Ali
I said yes.
Startled, she asked: What?
I told her: just my heart.
-Agha Shahid Ali
Reposted by Ian Boyden
Autumn wings, the wind.
Somewhere there’s a tree,
whose every leaf dreams of flight.
~ Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Léon Spilliaert
Somewhere there’s a tree,
whose every leaf dreams of flight.
~ Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Léon Spilliaert
November 25, 2024 at 1:11 AM
Autumn wings, the wind.
Somewhere there’s a tree,
whose every leaf dreams of flight.
~ Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Léon Spilliaert
Somewhere there’s a tree,
whose every leaf dreams of flight.
~ Ian Boyden
@ianboyden.bsky.social
Léon Spilliaert
Reposted by Ian Boyden
Translations of Woeser are a different kind of treasure.
Something stems from gratitude,
people say it becomes some godly power,
something singular and uncommon.
— Woeser
@woeser.bsky.social
www.ianboyden.com/posts/in-the...
people say it becomes some godly power,
something singular and uncommon.
— Woeser
@woeser.bsky.social
www.ianboyden.com/posts/in-the...
In the scorched remains of a violent sun
www.ianboyden.com
November 18, 2024 at 6:08 PM
Translations of Woeser are a different kind of treasure.
Reposted by Ian Boyden
這首去年9月寫於拉薩的詩，
感謝你的翻譯。我還保存著你動人的朗讀❤️
沈淪於烈日的炙烤…
1、
我們沈淪於烈日的炙烤幾近絕望
但黎明那時因冷得發抖，又急切地
盼著快點日出…萬事萬物皆有度
但誰又能掙脫對過度的迷戀？
在那座至尊之殿，有人死於受辱
有人困於受辱，不得不浪跡城中
而施暴者日漸消瘦，竟也同樣地
身裹絳紅袈裟⋯當我遇上這種種
驚駭於因果律的降臨如此遲緩，或
另有深意？哦，眾生的出路
憑靠什麼，才會殊途同歸？
3、
⋯
連牆壁上都畫了眾生填湖蓋寺的場景
還有一頭潔白的羊羔背土最多，出於
感激，被人們說成了神力非凡
而我，僅想飲一口湖水是何種味道
人生太苦了，需要臆想的甘甜
⋯
感謝你的翻譯。我還保存著你動人的朗讀❤️
沈淪於烈日的炙烤…
1、
我們沈淪於烈日的炙烤幾近絕望
但黎明那時因冷得發抖，又急切地
盼著快點日出…萬事萬物皆有度
但誰又能掙脫對過度的迷戀？
在那座至尊之殿，有人死於受辱
有人困於受辱，不得不浪跡城中
而施暴者日漸消瘦，竟也同樣地
身裹絳紅袈裟⋯當我遇上這種種
驚駭於因果律的降臨如此遲緩，或
另有深意？哦，眾生的出路
憑靠什麼，才會殊途同歸？
3、
⋯
連牆壁上都畫了眾生填湖蓋寺的場景
還有一頭潔白的羊羔背土最多，出於
感激，被人們說成了神力非凡
而我，僅想飲一口湖水是何種味道
人生太苦了，需要臆想的甘甜
⋯
November 18, 2024 at 5:54 PM
這首去年9月寫於拉薩的詩，
感謝你的翻譯。我還保存著你動人的朗讀❤️
沈淪於烈日的炙烤…
1、
我們沈淪於烈日的炙烤幾近絕望
但黎明那時因冷得發抖，又急切地
盼著快點日出…萬事萬物皆有度
但誰又能掙脫對過度的迷戀？
在那座至尊之殿，有人死於受辱
有人困於受辱，不得不浪跡城中
而施暴者日漸消瘦，竟也同樣地
身裹絳紅袈裟⋯當我遇上這種種
驚駭於因果律的降臨如此遲緩，或
另有深意？哦，眾生的出路
憑靠什麼，才會殊途同歸？
3、
⋯
連牆壁上都畫了眾生填湖蓋寺的場景
還有一頭潔白的羊羔背土最多，出於
感激，被人們說成了神力非凡
而我，僅想飲一口湖水是何種味道
人生太苦了，需要臆想的甘甜
⋯
感謝你的翻譯。我還保存著你動人的朗讀❤️
沈淪於烈日的炙烤…
1、
我們沈淪於烈日的炙烤幾近絕望
但黎明那時因冷得發抖，又急切地
盼著快點日出…萬事萬物皆有度
但誰又能掙脫對過度的迷戀？
在那座至尊之殿，有人死於受辱
有人困於受辱，不得不浪跡城中
而施暴者日漸消瘦，竟也同樣地
身裹絳紅袈裟⋯當我遇上這種種
驚駭於因果律的降臨如此遲緩，或
另有深意？哦，眾生的出路
憑靠什麼，才會殊途同歸？
3、
⋯
連牆壁上都畫了眾生填湖蓋寺的場景
還有一頭潔白的羊羔背土最多，出於
感激，被人們說成了神力非凡
而我，僅想飲一口湖水是何種味道
人生太苦了，需要臆想的甘甜
⋯
Something stems from gratitude,
people say it becomes some godly power,
something singular and uncommon.
— Woeser
@woeser.bsky.social
www.ianboyden.com/posts/in-the...
people say it becomes some godly power,
something singular and uncommon.
— Woeser
@woeser.bsky.social
www.ianboyden.com/posts/in-the...
In the scorched remains of a violent sun
www.ianboyden.com
November 18, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Something stems from gratitude,
people say it becomes some godly power,
something singular and uncommon.
— Woeser
@woeser.bsky.social
www.ianboyden.com/posts/in-the...
people say it becomes some godly power,
something singular and uncommon.
— Woeser
@woeser.bsky.social
www.ianboyden.com/posts/in-the...