Partridge Sky - Su T'ung Po

Partridge Sky

Forests end in mountain light, and bamboo (towering aspen) hides walls,   

A confusion cicada cries, dry grasses, a small pond.

A bird wings white through empty sky,

And delicate in scent, waterlilies shine across water.

Out beyond the Village, along ancient city walls 

I'll stroll till dusk, staff in hand, then turn back in slant light.

Thanks to rain that fell last night in the Third Watch,

I get another cool day in this drifting dream of a life.

- Su T'ung Po   (1037-1101)