the bright wind stirs the grass for a thousand miles

[incandescens]

The last few days have started off grey, got beautiful in the middle of the day to the mid-afternoon, then declined to a clear but cool evening. People stare out of the window and sigh, then get back to their work again.

Spring seems to be here. More or less. The cherry tree outside my apartment block is green and has buds on it.

---

The Twelve Moons

[...]

Third Moon

The east wind comes and spring fills up our eyes.
In the city of flowers the shaded willows grieve in earnest.
In the deepest hall of the palace the wind sports among bamboos.
The new green dancing skirts are clear as water.
The bright wind stirs the grass for a thousand miles.
A warm mist flaps the clouds from heaven to earth.
The slave girls dressed for war* carelessly pencil their eyebrows.
Waving embroidered banners warm the imperial city.
The floating scents of the winding river never return.
Pear blossoms fade. Autumn comes to the emperor's garden.

[,,,]

-- Li Ho, translated by Ho Chih-yuan

* camp followers