Monica
Dragon Seal
I am a big strong dragon.
I am made of gold.
I stomp all over very white paper.
I am the Emperor's seal.
* * * *
Robe
I am standing and looking at a robe.
It is like golden silk that shines on me
and makes my clothes
look like rags of canvas.
All the designs of plants and lives and swirls
make it hard not to stare.
* * * *
Playing with the Moon (after Li Bai):
Two Poems
I'm dancing with the moon and my shadow
we go in circles
I get dizzy but
of course
the moon does not.
The moon lights up the sky like a light bulb.
We drink sprite
in the moon's light
and dance until
the moon has to go home.
* * * *
I am the moon
looking down
and wishing I wasn't alone.
I wish someone would visit me
just for once.
* * * *
To the Tune of 'On Miao Mountain'
Meow meow meow meow mountain
there's rain
climb it the cats crawl and walk up the mountain
meow meow meow meow meow —
mountain
meow meow meow — mountain tall and strong —
meow meow mountain insects live
all sing high and free
Bells and drums and music fill the mountain.
The wind blows through the trees
and if you listen to the wind
you will hear meow —
mountain
* * * *
Translating Wang Wei
Hear mountain see green moss upon forest.
Man enter mountain. Man see
forest but empty deep shadow.
Man's shadow reflecting on a tree in the forest.
Man fall upon green moss and again
no shadow.
Man hear voice on mountain
another man will be looking for his shadow.
Hopefully he'll find it.
The man takes a deer and rides
off the mountain.
* * * *
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