evensong
here, my re-interpretation of the beautiful chinese poem, evening, by Bai Juyi, dating from 835 AD. the original work is understood to now be in the public domain. i've entitled this version evensong to differentiate it a little from the original. however, all credit should go to the original chinese author, Bai Juyi (also seen as Po Chu'i), and to translator Arthur Waley.
_lacrimange
evensong
waters that glimmered ever-white by the lingering light of dusk
have slowly diminished, until only sunset's palest glow remains
a night-blooming-lotus bobs as airily upon the water's edge
as a tattered paper fan flutters on an early-summer breeze
princess moon reflected, seems a shimmering strand of jewels
while crickets call out to one another: chirp-chirp chirp-chirp chirp
mandarin-ducks have gone one-by-one to sleep, yet none so alone
bedtime! bed-time! come the muffled calls of junior staff housekeeper
yet i hesitate to trace
my steps back home
_lacrimange
evensong
waters that glimmered ever-white by the lingering light of dusk
have slowly diminished, until only sunset's palest glow remains
a night-blooming-lotus bobs as airily upon the water's edge
as a tattered paper fan flutters on an early-summer breeze
princess moon reflected, seems a shimmering strand of jewels
while crickets call out to one another: chirp-chirp chirp-chirp chirp
mandarin-ducks have gone one-by-one to sleep, yet none so alone
bedtime! bed-time! come the muffled calls of junior staff housekeeper
yet i hesitate to trace
my steps back home