Xin Qiji (1140-1207) trans. Eileen Cheng-yin Chow

In youth I knew nothing of the taste of sorrow
I liked to climb high towers,
I liked to climb high towers
To conjure up a bit of sorrow to make new verse.

Now I know only too well the taste of sorrow.
I begin to speak yet pause,
I begin to speak yet pause
And say instead, "My, what a cool and lovely autumn."

 April - Mary Oliver

I wanted to speak at length about the happiness of my body and the delight of my mind for it was April, night, a full moon and-

but something in myself or maybe from somewhere other said: not too many words, please, in the muddy shallows the

frogs are singing.