magic strings I & II

[teriyaki_asthma]

I

the sun slips down
behind the western mountains
hills to the east vanish

the wind is driving horses through the clouds

the painted lute
and reed flute
play soft
rapid notes

a brocade skirt
rustles through
October dust

a breeze flutters the cassia leaves
seeds fall

a blue fox
weeps blood
for her dead mate

riding the golden tailed
dragons painted on ancient
walls, the rain god leaps
into the pools of autumn

a hundred year old owl
changes into
a forest demon

laughter!
green fire in the nest!

II

the witch pours
her libation, the wine
sizzles and clouds
gather in the sky

sweet fumes from the coals
in the jade brazier

sea gods and mountain demons
take their seats

votive papers crackle in the wind

her passion-wood lute
is inlaid with a golden phoenix
plucking it, she screws up her face
muttering
in time to the harsh chords

she calls the stars
and the dim gods
to her cup and dish
their feast

when demons are feeding
men shudder

the sun crawls over the mountains

the gods are all around
almost visible

their anger and pleasure leap
across her tranced
twitching face

then they mount their chariots
and ride, a swirling host
back to their distant mountains

-- Li Ho (791-817)