With never the ease of a yawn

From wet dawn to wet dawn . . .

Ford Madox Hueffer

SCENTED LEAVES FROM A CHINESE JAR

THE BITTER PURPLE WILLOWS

Meditating on the glory of illustrious lineage I lifted up my eyes and beheld the bitter purple willows growing round the tombs of the exalted Mings.

THE GOLD FISH

Like a breath from hoarded musk,

Like the golden fins that move

Where the tank’s green shadows part—