The Village On the Water Ii

Gradually the crystalizing dawn -- more hardened Than folded steel --- more sharper than The blade that cuts! Wisps of thin vapour, once loitering insidiously At the steps of each staunch door, Swirling away -- seemingly almost alive! Coiling and uncoiling. Has all the litheness of a Dancing girls weightless silken ribbon. Until, retreating back, high, into some lofty, Inaccessible mountain... Dissipates as if just abandoned dragons breath. The trees and streams are no longer so solemn. Circling over the temple, above the brittle lands Frosted chill, red-beaked choughs noisily engaged In agitated clattering... But now the temple bells are commanding those Monks to prayer. The blind and withered monk, who sits alone In his unassuming corner, reminds us:- "An emperor who abuses his power unsettles the Equilibrium of the whole nation, the workings of Nature, And the livelihood of all people; His responsibility is to maintain harmony in Himself and the empire... By acting in accordance with Confucian principles". It is for them to contemplate what we cannot Comprehend:- We are peasants and it is not expected of us To understand such wise things; nor should we. We understand the fish and their ways, and the Ways of the Blue River... Just as monks understand our gracious lord Buddha. Rouses the sun. Slowly lifts an enormous sky. Glistening hoarfrost spun from bramble to Bush -- strung from bough to branch like Giant spider web; Stiffened grasses that so pleasingly crunch Underfoot; And from these grasses, droplets of moisture Ready to be released like slow weeping tears; They will join with and sweeten the vibrant Spring waters -- clearer than quartz -- That stream in tripping rivulets over yellow rocks To splash from shallow cup to pouring pool... Once you have tasted these waters you would Have little more need of wine. Wine is for idle men, or for our warring masters To drink when celebrating great victory; What use have we of intoxicating wine? It is better kept as an offering... Lest the river Gods grow angry and Spoil our catch.