9th Moon

Fireflies lost in the summer palace, sky like water

yellow bamboos, cold pools, water-lilies dead

moonlight salient on claws of the gate-rings

this cool courtyard then empty halls then sky, white

dew-drops congealing on the wind

emerald lacework heaped up on the terraces

the dawn herald has gone, dawn is ablaze

a raven on the gold well croaks, plane leaves fall.